Showing 39 items matching "horse drawn deliveries"
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Surrey Hills Historical Society CollectionPhotograph - M F Conlon bakery delivery cart, 1953, Victor Cattoni, 1953
... ...horse drawn deliveries...deliveries by horse and cart were made by local traders including the baker, green grocer and dairy man. It also documents part of the history of a local business of longstanding. Victor Cattoni Conlon's bread factory 1953 Canterbury Road factories horse drawn ...This photo was taken by Victor Cattoni of Ingham in Queensland when he was in Melbourne on his honeymoon in 1953. The donor (his son) knew of no connection between his father and the Conlon family. Victor and his wife, Julia, travelled to Melbourne on the 'Mananda', which had been converted into a hospital ship in 1940. Victor was a motor mechanic and business man in Ingham and later a sugarcane farmer at nearby Abergowrie. Conlon's bread factory was located at 410-412 Canterbury Road on the corner of The Avenue. The site was purchased in 1927 by Michael Conlon and the factory built in 1928/1929. The original Conlon bakery was at 108 Union Road. This became to retail shop until the 1940s with the family involved in both the bakery and the shop. The photo is representative of the era when home deliveries by horse and cart were made by local traders including the baker, green grocer and dairy man. It also documents part of the history of a local business of longstanding.B&W photo of M F Conlon Surrey Bread Factory horse & cart at rest in a street in front of a picket fence.On the rear: "Photo by: / Victor Cattoni / Ingham, North Queensland / 1953" This is the same hand as that on the donation form, so it is presumed to have been added by Ed Cattoni prior to donation to SHHS. there are also photographic processing marks: "Ilford" stamped on the rear of the photographic paper and the number 71.victor cattoni, conlon's bread factory, 1953, canterbury road, factories, horse drawn deliveries, home deliveries -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation SocietyPhotograph - Transformer loaded for delivery, Bill Irving, c. 1929
... Photograph of transformer manufactured at British Electrical Transformer Co. works at South Melbourne, loaded for delivery by horse drawn delivery vehicle....Transport - Horse Industry - Manufacturing Wilson Transformers Photograph of transformer manufactured at British Electrical Transformer Co. works at South Melbourne, loaded for delivery by horse drawn delivery vehicle. ...Copied for member Barb GARDINER by Bill IRVING of the Waverley Historical Society. Wilsons moved from Port to Glen Waverley in the 1950s, which is why WHS holds this image.Photograph of transformer manufactured at British Electrical Transformer Co. works at South Melbourne, loaded for delivery by horse drawn delivery vehicle.transport - horse, industry - manufacturing, wilson transformers -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.Photograph - FAWN'S BREWERY: GOLDEN SQUARE, 1898 - 1900
... Outdoor group of workers with two horse drawn delivery carts at Fawn's Brewery. Brewery in background. ...Outdoor group of workers with two horse drawn delivery carts at Fawn's Brewery. Brewery in background. ...Fawns's Brewery, near Oak Street, Golden Square. ( James Lerk, Nov. 1999). As early as 1858 George Mackay recorded in the Annals that James Fawns aged 35 years was in the brewery business in Golden Square. James Fawns (1824-21/9/1891) was born in Kincardshire, Scotland and came to Australia in February 1853 on the "South Seas". In 1858 he came to Bendigo and entered into a partnership with George Elliott as brewers in Golden Square. After this partnership was dissolved in 1862, James continued the business alone. James married Helen McFarlane McAllen in 1860. Following his death, James' 3rd son Benjamin Ellison Fawns carried on the business before becoming a pastoralist in Deniliquin by 1893.Sepia coloured photo. Outdoor group of workers with two horse drawn delivery carts at Fawn's Brewery. Brewery in background. Shingle roofing on roof of building at back.R. Dermer Smith, Landscape and architectural photographer, Bull Street, Sandhurstorganization, business, fawn's brewery, golden square. -
Stawell Historical Society IncPhotograph, Mr Gustav Mahnke’s Bakery horse drawn delivery cart with driver, 1920 1923
... Mr Gustav Mahnke’s Bakery horse drawn delivery cart with driver...Gustav Mahnke’s Bakery horse drawn delivery cart with driver...Stawell Historical Society Inc 46 Longfield St Stawell grampians Gustav Mahnke’s Bakery horse drawn delivery cart with driver stawell business Written on the trap: Gustav Mahnke Stawell Bakery B/W. photograph. ...Gustav Mahnke’s Bakery horse drawn delivery cart with driverB/W. photograph. Showing a horse ad trap with a man on the trap. wooden fence in the backgroundWritten on the trap: Gustav Mahnke Stawell Bakerystawell business -
City of Ballarat LibrariesPhotograph - Card Box Photographs, Ballarat Steam Laundry circa 1910
... Proprietor of the Ballarat Steam Laundry, Carl Gottleib Heindrich Schmidt, stands outside the 821 Howitt Street premises along with 4 horse drawn delivery carts. ...City of Ballarat Libraries Eureka Centre Eureka Street Ballarat East goldfields Proprietor of the Ballarat Steam Laundry, Carl Gottleib Heindrich Schmidt, stands outside the 821 Howitt Street premises along with 4 horse drawn delivery carts. ballarat steam laundry carl gottleib heindrich schmidt howitt street commerical building vehicle Ballarat Steam Laundry circa 1910. ...Proprietor of the Ballarat Steam Laundry, Carl Gottleib Heindrich Schmidt, stands outside the 821 Howitt Street premises along with 4 horse drawn delivery carts. ballarat steam laundry, carl gottleib heindrich schmidt, howitt street, commerical, building, vehicle -
City of Ballarat LibrariesPhotograph, Delivery of Evening Echo, Sturt Street circa 1906
... Horse drawn wagon delivery of the Evening Echo outside the Westbrook's Music Warehouse in Sturt Street, Ballarat. ...City of Ballarat Libraries Eureka Centre Eureka Street Ballarat East goldfields Horse drawn wagon delivery of the Evening Echo outside the Westbrook's Music Warehouse in Sturt Street, Ballarat. ...Horse drawn wagon delivery of the Evening Echo outside the Westbrook's Music Warehouse in Sturt Street, Ballarat. A council owned steam roller rolls up the street.evening echo, westbrook's music warehouse, sturt street, ballarat -
Melbourne Tram MuseumPostcard, Rose Stereograph Co, "Collins Street Melbourne", late 1940s
... There is a horse-drawn delivery cart (milk? - Marche ?) parked on the north side of the street. 2 - Coloured postcard - does not have the company name on the rear. ...There is a horse-drawn delivery cart (milk? - Marche ?) parked on the north side of the street. 2 - Coloured postcard - does not have the company name on the rear. ...Rose Series postcard No. P 202, titled "Collins Street Melbourne" with a view from Russell St looking west. W2 class 574 (East Preston, route 9) is climbing the hill with another four W2's in the view as well. There is a horse-drawn delivery cart (milk? - Marche ?) parked on the north side of the street. 2 - Coloured postcard - does not have the company name on the rear. Only coloured Rose series seen as at 1/2025 by the Museum.Yields information about Collins St, late 1940sPostcard - printed real photograph with Rose Stereograph Co. name on the rear. Second copy has been coloured printed.tramways, collins st, tram 574, w2 class, trams -
City of Ballarat LibrariesPhotograph, Ice Cream Cart circa 1925
... Allan Young in horse drawn ice cream delivery cart. Half penny for a small ice cream and one penny for a large one. ...City of Ballarat Libraries Eureka Centre Eureka Street Ballarat East goldfields Allan Young in horse drawn ice cream delivery cart. Half penny for a small ice cream and one penny for a large one. ...Allan Young in horse drawn ice cream delivery cart. Half penny for a small ice cream and one penny for a large one. allan young, commerical, ice cream -
Melbourne Tram MuseumPhotograph - Collins St near Swanston St - traffic issues - set of 2, c1950
... Note the horse-drawn milk delivery van and The Herald paper delivery truck in the view. 2 - Shows W2 class tram 276 with less traffic in the street. ...Note the horse-drawn milk delivery van and The Herald paper delivery truck in the view. 2 - Shows W2 class tram 276 with less traffic in the street. ...The two photos show traffic congestion in Collins St, just before the intersection with Swanston St., possibly c1950. 1 - Shows W2 class tram 649 & 268 westbound in Collins St, outside the Plaza theatre. Note the horse-drawn milk delivery van and The Herald paper delivery truck in the view. 2 - Shows W2 class tram 276 with less traffic in the street. Note the beer delivery truck.Yields information about Collins St and traffic issuesBlack and white photo with a plain back, mounted onto blue paper.tramways, tramcars, traffic congestion, collins st, tram 649, tram 268, tram 276 -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and VillageVehicle - Wagon, H.H. Smith & Co. Baker, Circa 1930s - 1940s
... Four wheeled horse-drawn delivery wagon, front wheels smaller than rear wheels. ...Four wheeled horse-drawn delivery wagon, front wheels smaller than rear wheels. ...This baker’s wagon or cart transported and delivered bread and other baked goods in the Warrnambool area. It currently has advertising for H.H. Smith & Co. Henry Huntington Smith (1857-1941) owned and operated his Warrnambool bakery in the late 19th and early 20th century. However, the design of the wagon is similar to those used by local bakers in the 1930s and 1940s and probably originated from Stephenson’s Bakery in Warrnambool, which operated around that time. The wagon’s original internal shelves were removed in the early days of Flagstaff Hill so that children could have rides around the village in a horse-driven cart. BAKERS’ HISTORY There were many bakeries in Warrnambool in the 19th to mid-20th century. Each bread bakery made horse and cart deliveries in its allocated zone. SMITH’S BAKERY; – as shown on the wagon’s signage. Henry Huntington Smith (1857-1941) was born and educated in Warrnambool. He worked at Davis’ steam biscuit factory in Timor Street before he began his own bakery business in 1885 near the corner of Fairy and Koroit Streets. A few years later Smith built a new bakery on the corner of Fairy and Lava Street where it still stands today (2025) as Monaghan’s Pharmacy. The building was designed by James McLeod in 1892 as a bakehouse, shop and residence for Smith The address was known locally as Smith’s Corner. Next door to the bakery, at 136 Fairy Street, were stables built by Jobbins and McLeod in 1886 for William Cust. A photograph in the archives of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society shows the 1892 building with four fancy horse-drawn wagons on the street with white-clad drivers and a promotional stand erected with 5 bakers in uniform and the signage “H H Smith & Co, Pastry Cooks and Confectioners”. One of the wagons appears to have “H H Smith” painted on the side. H.H. Smith & Co. placed an Advertisement in the Weekly Times in December 1896 promoting its business as bakers, confectioners and pastry cooks, praising their shop as an ‘ornament to the town’ with ‘neat appointments’ and ‘dainty decorations’. It also boasted of supplying a large number of customers within a twelve-mile radius of Warrnambool. In November 1919 The Warrnambool Standard announced the marriage of Henry H Smith, Mayor of Warrnambool, to Jeannie Samson-Goodman in East Adelaide. In the same newspaper was a notice that Frank Crossley was to open as baker and pastry cook in H.H. Smith’s premises. As well as being the proprietor of the H.H. Smith Bakery, Henry Huntington Smith was a Councillor for the Warrnambool Municipality from 1913 to 1937 and Mayer for two terms. In December 1919 during his first term as Mayor, he was honoured for the work he had done with returning soldiers after World War I, receiving a document in recognition of this work, presented by the Mothers, Wives and Sisters of returned soldiers. Smith was very interested and involved in the community in many roles, including being the Vice President of the first Warrnambool and District Historical Society. STEPHENSON’S BAKERY: – believed to be the past owner of the wagon. The last owner of the bakery was Harold Stephenson. Stephenson was enlisted in the A.I.F. and was invalided home in 1943 before the end of the Second World War. He also served as a Councillor from 1958 to 1976, during which time he served six terms as Mayor for the City of Warrnambool (1966-1973) while he had the bakery. He was very involved in many local organisations including the Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club and the Road Race Committee. He died in 1985, lauded as being one of Warrnambool’s “most distinguished civic leaders”. It has been said that the baker injured in World War II invented a special contraption to enable him to get up into the wagon and that he alerted his customers that he was in their vicinity by blowing a whistle. The customers would come out and choose their bread from the back of his wagon then pay him for it. However, another account is given by a man who once earned pocket money by helping the baker on his rounds. He says that it was Stephenson, the owner and manager of the bakery, and not the delivery baker who received a significant injury during the war, making him unable to climb the stairs of his upstairs accommodation at the bakery, therefore causing him to sleep downstairs. At this time in the early to late 1940 Stephenson’s bakery had three wagons, one for each of the delivery rounds. The wagons were painted black and yellow. Two of the drivers were Stan Lake and Ali (Alec) Dean who both had wagons with the covered cabin design. The third driver was Bill Lake who had a flat wagon. Stan Lake delivered in the area around Lava and Koroit Streets, Ali Dean had another round and Bill Lake had the Dennington area. Bread continued to be delivered into the 1960s but by this time the delivery vehicles were motorised. The goods produced at Stephenson’s bakery included bread baked in different shaped tins such as High Tin, Sandwich and Vienna. Some shapes were easily divided into half by breaking them apart, therefore the baker could make two-quarter loaves from a half loaf, satisfying different needs. There was the option of white or brown bread, sweet buns, fruit buns and Boston buns. The baker’s assistant was known to take great delight in ‘trimming’ the broken halves of excess bread and crust, enjoying his treat. THE BAKERY PREMISES: – Southeast corner of Fairy and Lava Streets, Warrnambool. The building retains the original cast iron veranda. Above the veranda, a motif of a wheat sheaf in ornamental plaster can be seen. Inside the building, there are still some of the original fittings. The building was classified by the National Trust in August 1979. After the Second World War, an official system of zoning was introduced as a fair way for the baking industry to operate. In 1949 different pricing was introduced by the Government for either delivered or retail purchased bread. Many of the small local bakeries went out of business after the Government banned zoning. The way was made open for the larger bread manufacturers to enter the local market with cheaper prices. Some of those companies were Mc Queens, Tip Top, Twisties, and Sunicrust, (Mc Queens ‘new’ bakery building was where the current Toyworld shop now stands, is, in the Ozone carpark.) O’Grady’s Bakery, later changing hands and known as Burkes Bakery, was on Fairy Street near the Timor Street intersection, on the North West side. There was also a bakery named Almay. The baker’s wagon is significant because of its association with H.H. Smith’s Bakery in Warrnambool.. The H.H. Smith’s Bakery building on the corner of Fairy and Lava Streets, built in 1892, is classified by the National Trust, August 1979. Smith Street Warrnambool was named after Henry Huntington Smith, who was a Warrnambool Councillor 1913 – 1937 and Mayor 1919 – 1921. Baker’s wagon, often referred to as a baker’s cart. Four wheeled horse-drawn delivery wagon, front wheels smaller than rear wheels. Wagon is clad with metal sheets and lined with varnished timber panels. Wheels have metal rims, wooden spokes and rear wheels have wooden brake pads. Horse shaft is timber with metal fittings. Front has a metal lamp holder, brake lever, metal hand grips and decorative metal foot plates. The wagon has suspension leaves on back and sides and double suspension leaves on the front. Driver’s area at front has a roof, glass side windows and wooden box seat with hinged compartment accessing wagon storage area. Door above back of seat has buckled leather handgrip strap attached, door slides open for access to wagon area. Back of wagon has a wooden step and a split door; top door has ventilation louvers, both doors have metal latches. Wagon is painted cream with brown trim and signage and green step. Remnants of red and green paint are visible; underside of seat panel is painted grey. Wagon advertises H.H. Smith & Co. Baker, a Warrnambool business established in 1885, but is of a more modern design seen around 1930’s and 1940’s and most likely belonging to Stephenson's bakery. Brown signwriting on sides of wagon “H.R. SMITH & CO. / BAKER” Brown signwriting across front of wagon “BAKER” warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, great ocean road, baker’s wagon, h.h. smith baker, warrnambool, henry h smith, jeannie samson-goodman, frank crossley, mayor of city of warrnambool, vice president of warrnambool and district historical society, stephenson’s bakery warrnambool, harold stephenson, warrnambool surf life saving club, road race committee, national trust building, stan lake, bill lake, ali dean, 19th and 20th century bakers, davies steam biscuit factory warrnambool, james mcleod building designer, jobbins and mcleod, william cust, h h smith & co, pastry cooks and confectioners, bakery trade, bread delivery wagon -
Emerald Museum & Nobelius Heritage ParkPhotograph - Emerald Township 1948, March 1948
... Meat was then purchased in the store-front or delivered to local towns and homes by horse-drawn carriage and, eventually, delivery vans....Meat was then purchased in the store-front or delivered to local towns and homes by horse-drawn carriage and, eventually, delivery vans. This photograph demonstrates with incredible clarity just how greatly the local Emerald township has changed over the last century, especially on a thoroughfare as central as the one pictured. 1940s Emerald Madigan Family Rear, handwritten in ink: "Emerald. / Mar. 1948." ...This particular thoroughfare connecting Belgrave-Gembrook Road and Emerald-Monbulk Road, now home to many local and major business, has changed greatly over the last century. This dirt road was once home to the first Emerald butcher, established by Robert John Couper around 1900. Located on the corner of Main Street and Monbulk Road, the butcher was first run out of Couper's home, then it moved into a shop built on their property and customers were most often served by his wife Mabel. The butcher was then purchased by the Madigan Family in 1924 and run by Timothy James Madigan following his return from World War One service. Animals were slaughtered on-site, then stored in an underground cellar. Meat was then purchased in the store-front or delivered to local towns and homes by horse-drawn carriage and, eventually, delivery vans.This photograph demonstrates with incredible clarity just how greatly the local Emerald township has changed over the last century, especially on a thoroughfare as central as the one pictured.This black and white photograph features a dirt street lined with trees and buildings. On the left, a street sign points to locations such as Lilydale, Monbulk, Gembrook, Ferntree Gully, Macclesfield, and Melbourne. Two women stand behind the sign, waiting to cross the road. A butcher stands on the right side of the street and car is parked out front. Telephone poles are dotted along the road, both disappearing around a corner and into a horizon of trees. On the photograph's reverse is some handwritten text.Rear, handwritten in ink: "Emerald. / Mar. 1948."1940s, emerald, madigan family -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Document, Gallagher, C 1881
... The horse work involved the transporting of goods by horse drawn tram trucks, all repairs to the tracks , shunting and delivery duties. ...The horse work involved the transporting of goods by horse drawn tram trucks, all repairs to the tracks , shunting and delivery duties. ...In 1858 a tramway was constructed to move goods between Warrnambool township and jetty on Lady Bay which was over a mile away The terminus was established on the southern side of Merri Street. and the track went around the edge of Lake Pertobe reserve. Large stores were also built near where the present railway station is situated to hold produce and carriages. These documents relate to the contract to perform the horse work for the tramway for a period of one year. The horse work involved the transporting of goods by horse drawn tram trucks, all repairs to the tracks , shunting and delivery duties. The tramway operated from 7 am to 6 pm six days a week and a team of six horses was required to perform the work.The tramway was an important part of Warrnambool's infrastructure and history and the documents also include names of local people.001261.1 Pale blue lined paper with red lined outline.Hand written in black pen with names and some other words underlined in red. Two signatures on bottom right with red seal beside each. Witness signature below on left hand side. Of the four pages of the document , only the first page is used. 001261.2 Cream paper lined in blue with heavy black ink writing. A red seal attached beside the tenderer's mark and name. on right side of page. Witness's signature at bottom centre of page.001261.1 James Roberts hay and corn dealer ,Fairy Street Warrnambool, Martin Callaghanfarmer and contractor Raglan Parade Warrnambool. Daniel Gallagher, contractor of Warrnambool. September 1881. 001261.1 Daniel Gallagher .James Roberts Martin Callaghan September 12, 1881.warrnambool, warrnambool history, daniel gallagher, james roberts -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.Photograph - HORSE DRAWN VEHICLE WITH MAN AND BOY, c.1908
... horse drawn vehicle. Adult male driver, boy standing near horse. Inscriptions: on front - hand written across top 'The early days of Tarax in Bendigo about 1908' Hand written across bottom 'Harry Laity (may be Tait) in wagon'. Painted on wagon 'Taraxale'. History of object: James Lerk 2000 - 'The original DELIVERY...horse drawn vehicle. Adult male driver, boy standing near horse. Inscriptions: on front - hand written across top 'The early days of Tarax in Bendigo about 1908' Hand written across bottom 'Harry Laity (may be Tait) in wagon'. Painted on wagon 'Taraxale'. History of object: James Lerk 2000 - 'The original DELIVERY ...Black and white photograph of four wheeled horse drawn vehicle. Adult male driver, boy standing near horse. Inscriptions: on front - hand written across top 'The early days of Tarax in Bendigo about 1908' Hand written across bottom 'Harry Laity (may be Tait) in wagon'. Painted on wagon 'Taraxale'. History of object: James Lerk 2000 - 'The original DELIVERY CART FOR George Pethard's soft drink firm which he commenced in Panton Street, Golden Square. The 'Taraxale' wagon belonged to Harry Laity (or Tait). Photographed c.1908. Photographed for Bendigo Advertiser 4.7.2000organization, business, taraxale -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and VillageVehicle - Spring Cart, Late 19th to early 20th centuries
... horse-drawn cart...one horse cart...two-wheeled cart...dray...spring dray...wagon...transportation...travel...cart...Duke...Clydesdale...Pat McGowan...delivery...delivery and for domestic transport in the late-19th and early-20th century. This cart is of note for being associated with the Clydesdale horse Duke which pulled the cart around Flagstaff Hills in the 1980s and 1990s, representing transport of that period. Flagstaff Hill Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village Warrnambool Maritime Museum Maritime Village Great Ocean Road Shipwreck Coast springcart spring cart jingle horse-drawn ...A spring cart is a two-wheeled, one-horse cart, often with the driver standing up to drive it, and otherwise seated on a simple seat. Carts like this one had springs to make the ride smoother. It is a lighter version of a farm dray and is sometimes called a spring dray. Spring carts were often used on farms for carrying loads. In the towns, some businesses used a spring cart for deliveries of bread, milk and other goods. The carts would be used for travel and for families going on outings and picnics. Visitors to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village from 1986 to 1992 would enjoy watching a Clydesdale horse named Duke as he worked around the village with his driver Pat McGowan. He would be hitched to a wagon or to this lightweight spring cart or sometimes he would pull the wagon with the cart attached as a trailer. The cart was used for maintenance, carting loads of timber or stone around the site or from town to Flagstaff Hill. Sometimes Duke and the cart would take visitors for cart rides around the Village. Pat McGowan was known for his restoration of horse-drawn vehicles including this spring cart. He already had 40 years of horse handling experience when he began looking after Duke, feeding and harnessing him and driving the horse and cart around the Village. Pat’s dog ‘Yabbie’ would often join them. In August 1992 Duke had to be put down. Warrnambool Veterinary Clinic and other fund-raisers began well-supported appeals and the beloved horse was replaced by a Clydesdale also named Duke (the second), who began work in late October 1992. He, like his predecessor, had a quiet temperament and was comfortable in the traffic. The spring card is an example of vehicles used on farms, for business delivery and for domestic transport in the late-19th and early-20th century. This cart is of note for being associated with the Clydesdale horse Duke which pulled the cart around Flagstaff Hills in the 1980s and 1990s, representing transport of that period.Spring cart; two-wheeled cart with shallow box tray and plank seat bolted across the front. Wheels have metal rims and fourteen (14) wooden spokes. A plank is bolted from side to side. A decorative metal step is on the cart's left and has acorn cut-out shapes in the plate. Both wheels have a brake block that is operated by a lever on the cart's right. The cart has eight-leaf suspension from front to back. The box tray is painted blue and has decorative pale yellow detail. Each shaft pole has has a handle fitting on it. (Horse equipment with the cart is a leather covered, straw filled collar.) flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, springcart, spring cart, jingle, horse-drawn cart, one horse cart, two-wheeled cart, dray, spring dray, wagon, transportation, travel, cart, duke, clydesdale, pat mcgowan, delivery cart, yabbie, cartwright, horse-drawn vehicle, transport, horse cart -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and VillageVehicle - Tip Dray, Prior to 1930s
... It was noted in a letter to the editor in the "Sunshine Advocate" in 1938 that a positive argument for continued use of Tip Drays for rubbish collection related to the idea that a horse drawn vehicle involved with lots of stops and starts at different houses (very like a milkman's delivery route) often involved the horse "driving itself" while the driver picked up the rubbish - something a motor truck was unable to do! ...It was noted in a letter to the editor in the "Sunshine Advocate" in 1938 that a positive argument for continued use of Tip Drays for rubbish collection related to the idea that a horse drawn vehicle involved with lots of stops and starts at different houses (very like a milkman's delivery route) often involved the horse "driving itself" while the driver picked up the rubbish - something a motor truck was unable to do! ...A Dray is a type of dead axle wagon that was used to transport heavy loads or objects. They had a flat level floor and while some had no sides, others had box bodies and sides. Tip Drays (also known as Tip Carts, Muck Cart, Scotch Cart, Tumbrel or Putt in different parts of England) were smaller than other drays as their loads were heavy and usually only pulled by one horse. Their basic design included two wheels, a tipping body and shafts. The Tip Dray has a unique mechanism that allows the top to tip backwards to tip the load out of the back of the dray. The tipper was activated by a handle at the front allowing the driver to operate it while still having control over the horse. A Tip Dray was an indispensable piece of equipment in the days before tractors and mechanical trucks. They were used by farmers and carters to transport hay, rocks, bricks, gravel and rubbish etc. and because they were useful for dumping loads, they were favoured for use in road and railway construction. A photo in the collection of the Lorne Historical Society shows a tipping dray being used during the construction of the Great Ocean Road. They were part of the daily street traffic in towns and cities around Australia from the early days of settlement. In Australia in the early 1900's, carters began to join unions to protect their jobs and pay. N.S.W. had a "Trolley, Draymen and Carters Union", Queensland had a "Tip Dray Men's Association" and in W. A. the "Top Dray Driver's Union" had a "cessation of work" in 1911 when they were fighting for an increase in their day's wages. In 1910 a meeting of Tip Carters was held in Geelong at the Trades Hall to discuss the formation of a union (The Geelong Tip Dray Carters) which was a success and a schedule of rates for all carting, whether by contract or day labor, was fixed. By 1912 they had "labelled" more than 50 drays and had representatives on the "Trades Hall and Eight Hours Committee". By the mid 1930's and early 1940's, tip drays were being superseded by mechanical trucks and utes. However tip drays continued to be used in some circumstances. They were a practical solution to the problem of petrol rationing during W. W. 2. It was noted in a letter to the editor in the "Sunshine Advocate" in 1938 that a positive argument for continued use of Tip Drays for rubbish collection related to the idea that a horse drawn vehicle involved with lots of stops and starts at different houses (very like a milkman's delivery route) often involved the horse "driving itself" while the driver picked up the rubbish - something a motor truck was unable to do! Another article written in August 1935 and published in the Age in a parliamentary report into the rubber industry noted "tip drays had almost disappeared and in their place, metal was carted in 5 ton motor trucks" but the report went on to say that as a part of the Government relief work (during the Great Depression) the Government had "to some extent reintroduced the tip drays so that a greater number of men would be employed". This particular tip dray was owned by Mr. Oswald (Jack) Bourke. He used it to deliver dry goods from Sunbury to the Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne several times a week in the 1930's and then (between 1945 and 1962) Mr. Bourke used it on the garbage round in Springvale Victoria for the Springvale Council. The Council owned three drays and the "No. 3" painted on this dray is in recognition of its original number. After the death of Mr. Bourke in 1990, one of Mr. Bourke's sons (Andy) found the dray in a shed and restored it. The sign writing on the back and side panels were added during the restoration. This Tipping Dray is a significant example of a horse drawn vehicle that was used by workers from the early days of white settlement through to the 1940's and even into the early 1960's. It was used in a range of "working class" occupations - road construction, railway construction, carting goods, rubbish collection etc. and would have been found in cities, country towns and on farms.A wooden and metal tipping dray with a box body and four sides. It has two iron and wooden wheels (with 14 spokes), two wooden shafts and a metal tipping mechanism. The back panel folds down to allow loads to be dumped out. It is painted in green and cream with sign writing on one of the sides and on the front and back panels. It features decorative painted lines and designs in burgundy, cream and light blue on most of the wooden parts. The tipping mechanism is on the front of the dray's left side and consists of a metal pin secured with a metal ring, and a lever.Front of dray - "No. 3" Side of dray - "A. & M. BOURKE / Contractors / LONGWARRY" Back of dray - "G.T. ANDREWS / QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET - Stand C23 / Phone DANDENONG 225"flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, shipwreck coast, tipping dray, dray, tip dray, tip cart, vehicles, horse drawn vehicle, springvale council, jack bourke, muck cart, scotch cart, tumbrel, putt, box body, oswald bourke, sunbury, queen victoria market, melbourne, no. 3 -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and VillageEquipment - Show Harness, R. Mitchell, Saddler, Early to mid-20th century
... horses were being used - particularly in the early years of Victoria's settlement by white settlers. Harnesses such as this example were used with stage coaches, drays, farming equipment, delivery carts and personal transportation. Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village Warrnambool Great Ocean Road Shipwreck Coast harness horse harness show harness Clydesdale horses Andy Bourke horse drawn cart housen bridle hames breeching straps dropper bit Liverpool bit backband harness ornamentation bellyband back saddle fly terret Saddle - "R.MITCHELL / SADDLER" Hames - "MADE IN ENGLAND / WARRANTED / STEEL" "MADE IN ENGLAND / WARRANTED / unclear" Breeching Straps - "R. ...The early settlers of Victoria depended on horse drawn vehicles to farm, make roads and railways, deliver produce and transport people. Horse harnesses were an important requisite for all drivers and could be found wherever there were working horses. Horse Harnesses have played an essential role in different cultures throughout history. Simple, utilitarian horse harnesses made of leather straps and iron rings were being used in early China before AD 500 as well as ancient Greece and Rome, allowing horses to pull chariots and ploughs. The Greeks and Romans were the first to use a "horse collar" which distributed the weight of the harness evenly across the horse's chest rather than relying on a "throat harness" that could damage a horse's throat or choke them. During the medieval period, European horse harnesses became more elaborate and decorative. Variations of different horse harnesses were also found in Native American and Middle Eastern cultures. Horse Harnesses usually have four basic components which include - 1. Communication - the bridle, bit and reins allows the driver to communicate instructions and commands to the horse, guiding its movement and direction. 2. Draft - the collar, hame straps, hames, traces and chains enables the horse to draw and pull the load efficiently by distributing the weight and transferring the pulling force to the vehicle. 3. Stopping - the breeching band, pole straps and breast strap helps to control or stabilise the horse and vehicle when moving downhill or stopping. 4. Support - the back pad, backband, belly band and back saddle keep the harness in the correct position and proper alignment. This show harness was used by Mr. Andy Bourke when showing his Clydesdales at shows or demonstrations. Although a more modern example with decorative embellishments, it still has many essential components traditionally found in an everyday working horse harness. The original purpose of the "housen" for example, was to run rain or drizzle off the horse's neck when they had to work in wet conditions - it was laid flat for this purpose on the top of the collar. Nowadays it is purely for show and is often used to advertise a business or stud. Horse brasses and fly terrets were fastened to various parts of a horse's harness. In the early days they probably began as amulets to ward off evil and to bring good luck and continued to be used as a festive decoration. The heyday of horse brasses was between the years 1851 and 1900. Horse brasses are fastened to various parts of the harness with many of their designs being symbolic. The ornamentation on this harness (although not authentic horse brasses) are based on the horse brasses that were popular in the 19th century. This horse harness is a significant example of the equipment that was needed wherever heavy horses were being used - particularly in the early years of Victoria's settlement by white settlers. Harnesses such as this example were used with stage coaches, drays, farming equipment, delivery carts and personal transportation.A leather and metal horse harness used when showing a Clydesdale (or other breed of heavy horse). It is made up of a number of components. 1. Decorative leather cart saddle with two large cloth pads underneath (which have a scalloped leather and stud border), a raised leather pommel and a silver and red coloured metal back strap holder across the top. It has two symmetrical sets of ornamentation (silver hearts and circles) in the front and a wide strap or girth (with a maker's stamp reading "R. Mitchell Saddler") and buckle which attaches the saddle to the horse. 2. Pair of steel hames which are gently curved (to fit on a horse collar) and are topped with steel knobs. They have several steel rings and lugs (to hold straps and chains) and a "Made in England Warranted Steel" stamp. 3. Breeching harness which consists of a number of leather straps, chains and metal rings including a wide padded leather strap with a scalloped edge that sits on the back of the horse and a thick leather strap that goes around the hind quarters of a horse which is joined to the back strap with four shorter vertical straps and buckles. These straps feature silver and red patent leather trim and silver heart shaped ornamentation. The strap also features the maker's stamp of "R. Mitchell". 4. Decorative leather bridle with blinkers featuring the same silver and red patent leather trim on the cheek piece, brow band and throatlatch. It has a stainless steel "Liverpool Driving Bit" with a curb chain, a variety of decorative silver ornaments (rosettes, diamonds plus a heart and two circles) on each end of the forehead band, dropper and strap as well as a silver metal bell (sometimes known as a "fly terret" or "swinger") that sits on the headpiece of the bridle. 5. Leather "violin shaped" dropper (or hanger) with two silver rosette shaped ornaments and a stainless steel clip on the top 6. Stainless steel "Liverpool Driving Bit" with a straight mouthpiece which is ribbed on one side. It has three rein spots (spaces) and a curb chain. 7. Leather arch shaped "Housen" covered in black and red patent leather and decorated with silver studs (some spelling out F H) and bordered with a red fringe. It has a leather strap at the back and two leather loops on the front. 8. Leather padded backband (Australian style "Stallion Draught Roller") decorated with two groups of nine metal "horse brasses" or harness ornaments displaying horseshoe, starburst and horse head designs on blue, red and white striped webbing. The backband has three notched straps at each end, a buckle near the centre and the initial B stamped in two places underneath. 9. Bellyband made of leather and red, white and blue striped webbing. It has a set of three buckles at each end (which correspond with the notched straps of the backband). 10. Wide, thick leather strap which has a buckle and notches at each end. It also has the maker's stamp of "R. Mitchell Saddler". 11.One pair of long leather traces - each with a buckle and notched loop at one end, decorated with a small silver diamond shaped harness ornament. 12. Length of stainless steel heavy duty chain with two swivel connectors.Saddle - "R.MITCHELL / SADDLER" Hames - "MADE IN ENGLAND / WARRANTED / STEEL" "MADE IN ENGLAND / WARRANTED / unclear" Breeching Straps - "R. MITCHELL / MAKER / R. MITCHELL MAKER" Housen - "F H" Backband "B / B' Wide leather strap - "R. MITCHELL / SADDLER"flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, harness, horse harness, show harness, clydesdale horses, andy bourke, horse drawn cart, housen, bridle, hames, breeching straps, dropper, bit, liverpool bit, backband, harness ornamentation, bellyband, back saddle, fly terret -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and VillageEquipment - Horse Harness, Glenn's Leather Goods, Early to mid-20th century
... delivery dray...harness...horse harness...horse drawn...horses were being used - particularly in the early years of Victoria's settlement by white settlers. Harnesses such as this example were used with drays, farming equipment, delivery carts and personal transportation. Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village Warrnambool Great Ocean Road Sunbury Springvale dray delivery dray harness horse harness horse drawn vehicles working horse Oswald (Jack) Bourke bridle horse collar hames shaft protectors Bridle with blinkers - "M B" Bridle - design showing an elongated X with a dot in each section stamped onto strap holder Shaft Protectors - stamped design of flowers, wings, crosses and arrowheads Strap with chain - "Glenn's leather goods / Pearcedale / Victoria" Leather Strap (with two metal rings) - Maker's stamp - "name indecipherable / SADDLER / ...OURNE" Collar - "B / B" Leather strap - A leather and metal horse harness used with a horse and dray circa 1930's to the early 1960's. ...The early settlers of Victoria depended on horse drawn vehicles to farm, make roads and railways, deliver produce and transport people. Horse harnesses were an important requisite for all drivers and could be found wherever there were working horses. Horse Harnesses have played an essential role in different cultures throughout history. Simple, utilitarian horse harnesses made of leather straps and iron rings were being used in early China before AD 500 as well as ancient Greece and Rome allowing horses to pull chariots and ploughs. The Greeks and Romans were the first to use a "horse collar" which distributed the weight of the harness evenly across the horse's chest rather than relying on a "throat harness" that could damage a horse's throat or choke them. During the medieval period, European horse harnesses became more elaborate and decorative. Variations of different horse harnesses were also found in Native American and Middle Eastern cultures. Horse Harnesses usually have four basic components which include - 1. Communication - the bridle, bit and reins allows the driver to communicate instructions and commands to the horse, guiding its movement and direction. 2. Draft - the collar, hame straps, hames, traces and chains enables the horse to draw and pull the load efficiently by distributing the weight and transferring the pulling force to the vehicle. 3. Stopping - the breeching band, pole straps and breast strap helps to control or stabilise the horse and vehicle when moving downhill or stopping. 4. Support - the back pad, backband, belly band and back saddle keep the harness in the correct position and proper alignment. This dray harness is a plain, basic harness and reflects its working class origins. It was used by Mr. Oswald (Jack) Bourke with his horse and dray to firstly deliver drygoods from Sunbury to Melbourne in the 1930's and later (through the 1940's and 1950's up to 1961) when he worked on the garbage round for the Springvale City Council. This horse harness is a significant example of the equipment that was needed wherever horses were being used - particularly in the early years of Victoria's settlement by white settlers. Harnesses such as this example were used with drays, farming equipment, delivery carts and personal transportation.A leather and metal horse harness used with a horse and dray circa 1930's to the early 1960's. It is made up of a number of components. 1. A leather bridle with metal buckles and rings, blinkers and a metal single jointed, snaffle bit that has the initials M B stamped onto the leather. 2. A leather bridle with metal buckles and rings and a metal "straight bar" Eggbut snaffle bit. It has an elongated X design (with 4 dots) stamped onto the leather strap holders near each buckle. 3. A blue and white vinyl halter with one leather patched strap. The nose band and a chin strap are covered with woollen padding. 4. A pair of leather shaft protectors. They have lacing holes along each edge and a repeating design of small shapes (flowers, wings, crosses and arrowheads) which run along the front of each protector. 5. A leather strap with a stainless steel chain and catch and a maker's mark for "Glenn's Leather Goods, Pearcedale Victoria" stamped onto the end. 6. A wide leather strap covered with a webbing sleeve. It has two large metal rings and each end and one ring has a rope attached. 7. A leather strap comprised of three separate sections (two shorter and one longer) joined with two metal rings. The longer section has notches along its length and the shorter section at the other end has a buckle. It also had a maker's mark stamped on it but the mark is very worn and the writing is difficult to read. 8. An adjustable leather horse collar with two buckles and straps at the top opening and two "B's" stamped into the leather. The top of the collar is made from treated leather pieces stitched together and the underneath of the collar is untreated leather. It has a padded indentation running all the way around the collar for the hames to sit in. 9. Two pairs of long leather traces - each having a buckle and notched section at one end and each one is made with three lengths of leather spliced together. 10. A leather strap (with one spliced join) belonging to a horse harness with two shorter straps (each ending with a metal clip) attached to a steel D ring at one end. 11. Three assorted short leather straps - the top one has clips at each end and a buckle (for adjusting the length) in the centre, the middle strap has notches and a buckle and the bottom strap is white with notches and a buckle.Bridle with blinkers - "M B" Bridle - design showing an elongated X with a dot in each section stamped onto strap holder Shaft Protectors - stamped design of flowers, wings, crosses and arrowheads Strap with chain - "Glenn's leather goods / Pearcedale / Victoria" Leather Strap (with two metal rings) - Maker's stamp - "name indecipherable / SADDLER / ...OURNE" Collar - "B / B" Leather strap - flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, sunbury, springvale, dray, delivery dray, harness, horse harness, horse drawn vehicles, working horse, oswald (jack) bourke, bridle, horse collar, hames, shaft protectors -
Orbost & District Historical Societyblack and white photograph, late 19th - early 20th century
... Pack horses were vital for the delivery of goods, responding to emergencies as they could travel in country inaccessible to larger horse - drawn carts or wagon transport wagon-horses A small black / white photograph of two men in a wagon pulled by a team of horses (5?). ...This is a photograph of the wagon service to the Bendoc goldfields. The service commenced in 1887.This is a pictorial record of transport in the mid 18th - early 19th century. Pack horses were vital for the delivery of goods, responding to emergencies as they could travel in country inaccessible to larger horse - drawn carts or wagonA small black / white photograph of two men in a wagon pulled by a team of horses (5?). The wagon is loaded with bags and is on a bush track.transport wagon-horses -
Orbost & District Historical Societyblack and white photograph, late 19th - early 20th century
... Pack horses were vital for the delivery of goods, responding to emergencies as they could travel in country inaccessible to larger horse - drawn carts or wagons. transport pack-horses A black / white photograph on a black buff card. ...In the late 1800's early 1900's transporting goods by road was difficult and at times impossible because roads as thoroughfares did not exist.The means of travelling along the roads in the 1800's was by bullock wagon, horse pulled dray, pack horse or simply by foot. This is a pictorial record of transport in the mid 18th - early 19th century. Pack horses were vital for the delivery of goods, responding to emergencies as they could travel in country inaccessible to larger horse - drawn carts or wagons.A black / white photograph on a black buff card. It is of a group of pack horses being guided across a waterway with a man on horseback on either side of the river.transport pack-horses -
Ballarat Tramway MuseumPhotograph - Black & White Photograph/s, 1930's
... There are a number of delivery vehicles in the photograph, but no horse drawn vehicles are to be seen....There are a number of delivery vehicles in the photograph, but no horse drawn vehicles are to be seen. ...Black and white photo going to sepia toned, of about 11 W2's and many motor vehicles on Princes Bridge Melbourne, taken from the tower on Flinders Street station building, during the late 1930's. Many people on bridge, traffic jam of motor vehicles on the bridge itself. Note buildings at the Batman avenue terminus. Can see a tram trolley pole of a tram in Batman Avenue. No curve from Batman Ave. into Swanston St. At least two of the trams do not have route number boxes. There are a number of delivery vehicles in the photograph, but no horse drawn vehicles are to be seen.trams, tramways, melbourne, princes bridge, flinders st. station, batman ave., tram 321 -
Ballarat Tramway MuseumSlide - 35mm slide/s - set of 3, Peter Moses, Aug. 1971
... horse drawn milk cart in Wendouree Parade. All photos have Lake Wendouree in the background. .1 - Tram No. 42 at the Martin Ave. stop in Wendouree Parade. Tram has a SEC Briquette roof advertisement. .2 - Looking along Wendouree Parade towards Forest St and the SEC Depot area, shows tram 42 and the horse drawn milk wagon in the distance. .3 - Close up of the horse drawn milk wagon -Modern Dairy, with the delivery man or milk man stepping from the wagon. ...horse drawn milk cart in Wendouree Parade. All photos have Lake Wendouree in the background. .1 - Tram No. 42 at the Martin Ave. stop in Wendouree Parade. Tram has a SEC Briquette roof advertisement. .2 - Looking along Wendouree Parade towards Forest St and the SEC Depot area, shows tram 42 and the horse drawn milk wagon in the distance. .3 - Close up of the horse drawn milk wagon -Modern Dairy, with the delivery man or milk man stepping from the wagon. ...Set of three photos of SEC Ballarat tram No. 42 and a horse drawn milk cart in Wendouree Parade. All photos have Lake Wendouree in the background. .1 - Tram No. 42 at the Martin Ave. stop in Wendouree Parade. Tram has a SEC Briquette roof advertisement. .2 - Looking along Wendouree Parade towards Forest St and the SEC Depot area, shows tram 42 and the horse drawn milk wagon in the distance. .3 - Close up of the horse drawn milk wagon -Modern Dairy, with the delivery man or milk man stepping from the wagon. Kodak cardboard mount slide, taken by Peter Moses August 1971.On back of slides: .1 -"N42 Ballarat / Wendouree Pde & Lake" and "P. Moses" in black ink. .2 - "N42 Ballarat / Wendouree Pde & Lake" in red ink and "P. Moses" in black ink. .3 - "Ballarat / Horse Milk Van" in red ink.tramways, trams, wendouree parade, milk cart, horse drawn vehicle, tram 42 -
Melbourne Tram MuseumPostcard - Princes Bridge, Melbourne, c1910
... horse drawn vehicles and pedestrians cross the bridge. No motor vehicles are in sight. Government House is evident in the gardens in the background. Letters and postcards were the primary form of communication between people before the telephone; postcards were frequently used to send a short note to another person who lived in the same city. There were two mail deliveries...horse drawn vehicles and pedestrians cross the bridge. No motor vehicles are in sight. Government House is evident in the gardens in the background. Letters and postcards were the primary form of communication between people before the telephone; postcards were frequently used to send a short note to another person who lived in the same city. There were two mail deliveries ...Photograph looks south over Princes Bridge as a cable tram, some horse drawn vehicles and pedestrians cross the bridge. No motor vehicles are in sight. Government House is evident in the gardens in the background. Letters and postcards were the primary form of communication between people before the telephone; postcards were frequently used to send a short note to another person who lived in the same city. There were two mail deliveries on weekdays and one on Saturdays.Yields information about the use of postcards for short messages Black and white photograph with of oval shape and brown border, with note on front and postcard message and stamp on rear.Note on front reads: "Princes Bridge, Melbourne" Written in ink on rear: "Miss M Weston, I left that photo at Sydney P O Your brother would get it when he wrote for his mail if not it will be returned to you as I addressed it that way if F Marshall is still there you can say ? was asking for him. Barney"horse drawn vehicles, pedestrians, cable tram, princes bridge, government house, postcards -
City of Melbourne LibrariesPhotograph (item), Bull, Hugh Jones, 1897-1993, Unloading timber at Victoria Dock, 1933
... Wartime petrol rationing led to a brief revival for the working horse, as suburban tradesmen, now used to motor delivery, took their old jinkers out of mothballs. By 1947, however, only 1.5% of city traffic was horse-drawn. ...Wartime petrol rationing led to a brief revival for the working horse, as suburban tradesmen, now used to motor delivery, took their old jinkers out of mothballs. By 1947, however, only 1.5% of city traffic was horse-drawn. ...Photographer notations on slide: "Unloading Timber at Wharves 1933 Age B5" Published: Age (Melbourne, Vic.: 1854- ), Tuesday 15 August 1933 MAHOGANY FROM MANILA. (1933, August 15). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 11. Retrieved January 16, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204377024 Published title: MAHOGANY FROM MANILA Published Caption: Age Tue 15 Aug 1933 Caption: Unloading Mahogany Logs brought from Manila, Philippine Islands, by the steamer Taiping, which berthed yesterday at Victoria Dock. The vessel discharged twenty logs, each weighing three tons, the first shipment of this type of timber landed in Melbourne. Research by Project Volunteer, Louise McKenzie: This photograph in many ways epitomises Melbourne in the 1930s. It is a time of enormous growth, development and change. But before delving into that, the photo itself is very powerful. The huge mahogany logs being unloaded appear to be so heavy that the ship itself seems to list to port as they are craned over the side. They are being levered into a cart to which two large and sturdy Clydesdale horses are hitched. In contrast to the traditional horses, the wharf is crisscrossed with modern railway tracks. Unloading is both mechanical and manual, and the scene is one of intense interest to a young boy bystander. The ship appears to be squat and solid, but the whole image also gives a feeling of movement and intensity. The mahogany being delivered to Melbourne would be intended for high quality furniture. In the 1930s Australia actually had a growing timber industry, but much of the eucalyptus wood was being utilised for mass produced furniture, and much of this furniture would then have had a veneer applied to it. The fact that it was economic to import this timber from the “Philippine Islands” – not a traditional trading market for Australia – reflects a Victorian economy that was strong enough to support a growing demand for good quality furniture Mahogany was described as a classic, strong hardwood, often used for dark opulent furniture. In the 1930s the importation of timber from Manila (Philippines) to Australia was a notable trade, particularly in Philippine Lauan (often referred to as Philippine Mahogany), which was used as a cheaper alternative to other hardwoods. 1930s furniture, dominated by the art deco style, used a mix of luxurious exotic woods like mahogany, macassar and ebony for high-end pieces, often veneered over less expensive woods such as walnut, birch and poplar, and with plywood, chrome and lacquer also popular for more practical, streamlined designs during the Depression era. By the mid 1930s timber mills were being relocated away from the immediate dock area, but the fact that these logs were being transported by horse-drawn cart implies that the load would not have had to be taken too far for milling. 1885 the Melbourne Harbour Trust Commissioners had decided that land in or near the city was far too valuable to be used as timber yards. Furthermore, large stacks of timber posed a fire risk. The Trust asked the Victorian Government to reserve a site on the east side of the Yarra River opposite Yarraville and Spotswood. Here, in 1889, the Trust began building six jetties and a wharf specifically for the landing of timber. Clydesdale horses were initially brought to Victoria from Tasmania in the 1830s, and with the 1850s gold rush they were imported direct from Scotland. Melbourne was from its earliest years an important centre of horse-breeding from both imported and colonial-bred stock, providing the well-built draught horse for pulling heavily loaded wagons, the harness horse for delivery work and drawing coaches, and the saddle-horse used for riding. Stud breeding facilities were advertised from the early 1840s. By the 1870s the horse export trade was thriving, and the Port of Melbourne was the country's busiest exporter of horses to Indian, Asian and New Zealand markets. Kirk's Melbourne Horse and Carriage Bazaar in Bourke Street first advertised for business in 1840, and by the 1850s Bourke Street West was famed for its horse bazaars and saleyards. The Victorian Clydesdale Horse Society reports that Clydesdale working horses were a vital part of Melbourne's infrastructure and agricultural industry in the 1930s, when they reached the peak of their popularity despite the increasing competition from mechanization. Their main roles and usage at this time were: • City Delivery: Clydesdales were a common sight for metropolitan deliveries, particularly for breweries (such as Carlton & United Breweries), milk runs, and bread deliveries. • Industrial Work: They were heavily used for hauling cargo at the docks, in construction, and at specialized sites like the Truganina Explosives Reserve, where they pulled wagons. • Agriculture: In surrounding rural areas, they were the primary power source for ploughing and agricultural machinery. • Specialization: By the 1930s, the Clydesdale was smaller and more compact than the Shire or Percheron breeds, making them ideal for navigation in urban environments. After the 1930s their numbers decreased due to the onset of WWI and mechanisation. Wartime petrol rationing led to a brief revival for the working horse, as suburban tradesmen, now used to motor delivery, took their old jinkers out of mothballs. By 1947, however, only 1.5% of city traffic was horse-drawn. In 1952 the large horse cartage company A. Kellet Pty Ltd sold its 250 horses and converted its Richmond stables to storage. In the 1950s at Station and Princes piers, wharf labourers refused to work with the six draught horses still being used to haul trolleys and which were soon superseded by the fork lift, semi-trailer and mobile crane. Where carefully trained horses had once shunted trains in city goods yards, a few hundred a week were now being killed at the abattoirs for pet and human consumption. The last MCC dray horse was withdrawn from service in 1958, but some of the few remaining working animals are used by the mounted police for crowd control at demonstrations and football games. The death knell had also sounded for the associated trades of farrier, saddler and blacksmith. Our photo, therefore, showing the wharf with both the haulage Clydesdales and the rail lines, is a strong visual summary of the social and economic changes experienced in Victoria in the 1930s and on towards the 1950s. Our photo is located at Victoria Dock (also known as Victoria Harbour) which is still an active component of Melbourne’s port system. In 1892 the West Melbourne Dock (later Victoria Dock) was opened, downstream and immediately west of the Spencer Street railway shunting yards. It contained a swing basin for ships, replacing the one which had been provided on the south side of the river, later to be the Duke and Orr dry dock, west of the Charles Grimes Bridge. Further west was the South Wharf along the river bank. The history of Victoria Dock is extremely well described by Ashley Smith in his 2 March 2022 article in Docklands News, and its accompanying aerial photo of the Dock taken in 1934. He writes: "In the early 1930s Victoria Dock was one of the biggest sites for trade and export in Melbourne. A constant queue of ships sailed in, unloaded their cargo, recharged and reloaded, then left for the next port. Around the time this photo was taken (found in a 1934 photo book), the trapezium-shaped basin had been through some changes since its construction in the 1890s. The 497-metre-long Central Pier, finished in 1919, now featured six sheds to house the ever-increasing volume of cargo. The entrance had also been widened in the 1920s to allow better access. Some of the berths featured three-ton jib electric cranes to help with loading cargo and a rail network connected to the State Railway service. By the time construction was completed, the dock was 39 hectares and hailed as the second-largest dock in the world (behind Cavendish Dock, Barrow-in-Furness). To further save costs, excavations were dug to a more reasonable seven metres below low water, instead of British engineer Sir John Coode’s recommended 8.3 metres. Even then, the costs were still around £900,000. It was envisaged, with the extra wharfage, that around thirty 90-metre ships could berth inside. On March 22, 1892, Victoria Dock was opened by Victoria’s Governor, the Earl of Hopetoun (later Australia’s first Governor-General) who opened the sluice to let the Yarra in. It took six days to fill the basin with The Leader newspaper estimating that it would take another six months to completely fill (March 26, 1892). In the end, it took nearly a year before the first ship was allowed to enter on February 20, 1893, when the steamer Hubbuck sailed in to unload 1200 tonnes of cargo in 15 hours. The Argus (February 23, 1893) reported that the ship’s captain, J. R. Brodie, called the Yarra “better than the Thames”, and compared Victoria Dock favourably to the Albert Dock (Liverpool)." This would be a good time to move our focus on to the Taiping, which is the transporter of these giant mahogany logs. The Taiping was a steel-hulled, single-screw passenger-cargo Chinese steamer, which today has the dubious legacy of being involved in a collision headlined as “The Chinese Titanic”. It was constructed by the Hong Kong and Shampoa Dock Company at its facility in Hong Kong, with completion in 1926 for service under the Australia Oriental Line. Her gross register tonnage measured 4,324 tons, reflecting her design for inter-island and coastal trade routes, accommodating both passengers and freight. She operated routes connecting Australian ports with East Asian destinations. As World War II approached, Taiping continued predominantly working the trade routes between China and Australia, until December 1941, when she evacuated women and children from Hong Kong to Manila just before Japanese forces overran the region. She then safely reached Australia despite enemy air raids. Taiping was then requisitioned by the Royal Navy and repurposed as a victualling stores issuing ship for the Eastern Fleet, supporting logistical needs in the Pacific and Indian oceans. Returned to the Australian Oriental Line in 1947, she underwent refitting and by mid-1948 was chartered to the Shanghai Shipping Company, and modified for greater passenger accommodation – approximately 500 passengers. In 1948/49 the Chinese Civil War took place. The Taiping departed Shanghai on 26 January 1949 as one of the final vessels evacuating civilians from to Keelung Harbour in Taiwan. Reports indicate that the Taiping carried double the rated capacity of passengers i.e. 1000. The ship carried families, military personnel, civilians, carrying personal belongings, gold and valuables in hope of resettlement in Nationalist Taiwan. It also held heavy cargo in the form of silver and gold bullion loaded by the Central Bank of China. Because of the risk of patrols, and to conserve fuel, the Captain took the ship away from the usual open-sea passage, and instead navigated along the coast. He also extinguished navigation lights to avoid detection. Shortly after midnight on 27 January 1949 the Taiping collided with the smaller cargo steamer Chien Yuan in the East China Sea near the Zhoushan Archipelago. The Chien Yuan was also operating in darkness. The subsequent collision was catastrophic. The Chien Yuan sank with in 5 minutes, with the loss of 72 of its 74 crew. The Taiping sustained severe structural compromise from the broadside strike and initially remained afloat, then made a swift descent into the freezing water, with no attempt at an organised evacuation. No formal recovery process was instigated, however a distress signal went out. 32 survivors were picked up by the Australian destroyer HMAS Warramunga (on patrol nearby), a passing US vessel found 2 more, and local Zhoushan fishermen retrieved others. In the end, only 37 people survived. The event is remembered as a poignant moment in the mass migration to Taiwan, with families tragically separated. A memorial to the disaster exists at the Keelung Harbour naval base on Taiwan. With its total of over 1,500 deaths, it constituted one of the worst peacetime maritime losses. It is sometimes referred to as the “Oriental Titanic” because of the similarly large loss of life and speed of demise with the RMS Titanic in 1912. A fictional depiction of this event appears in the John Woo movies “The Crossing (Part 1) (2014), and The Crossing II (2015), known in Chinese as “Taiping Wheel”. The narrative weaves a story around pre-disaster romances and wartime turmoil among passengers, culminating in the ship’s rapid sinking. “The production, a high-budget Sino-Taiwanese-Hong Kong co-effort, portrays the event as a microcosm of the 1940s Sino-Japanese and civil war legacies, though critics noted the melodramatic style prioritizing spectacle over historical precision.” In conclusion, it is nice to return to our photo, and observe the people involved in this moment. The dockworkers are, so typical of the 1930s, dressed in what looks to us like formal clothing – dark suits or coats, white shirts, and black hats. I am particularly drawn to the young boy, bare-headed, arms crossed, and so intent on the unloading process. He too is wearing a white shirt, black trousers and jacket, and black shoes. This is 1933 Melbourne – but the haircut he is sporting is now very “hipster” and modern in 2026 Melbourne. References: MAHOGANY FROM MANILA. (1933, August 15). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 11. Retrieved January 30, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204377024 Wikipedia, Taiping steamer, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiping_(steamer) Wikipedia, Victoria Dock, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Dock_(Melbourne) Docklands News, Ashley Smith, 2 Mar 2022, https://www.docklandsnews.com.au/victoria-dock/ Living Histories: Heritage Council of Victoria, Jill Barnard, 2008, Jetties and Piers, https://livinghistories.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Jetties-ONL-intro_Part-1.pdf eMelbourne, Wharves and Docks, https://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM01612b.htm Australian Academy of Technological Sciences – Harvesting Wood, https://www.austehc.unimelb.edu.au/tia/225.html Old Treasury Building, On the Water – The Docks, https://tinyurl.com/3wkbk66m Old Treasury Building, On The Road, https://tinyurl.com/dw44yr3t Port of Melbourne, Victorian Places, https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/port-of-melbourne Docklands Heritage Study - Environmental History, https://mvga-prod-files.s3.ap-southeast-4.amazonaws.com/public/2024-05/docklands-heritage-review-thematic-environmental-history-1991.pdf eMelbourne, Horses, https://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM00723b.htm Victorian Clydesdale Horse Society, https://www.clydesdalesvic.org.au/history The Crossing, https://letterboxd.com/film/the-crossing-i/Photographer notations on slide: "Unloading Timber at Wharves 1933 Age B5"ships, shipping, timber industry, shipwrecks, horses, docks, wharves, 1930-1939, wars, docklands -
Ballarat Tramway MuseumPhotograph - Geelong tram body being fitted with a truck or wheelset
... Lifted on the jacks after delivery by a horse drawn jinker from the Railway Station (See Reg Item 8321) The wheel set is being pushed under the tramcar by another tramcar. ...Lifted on the jacks after delivery by a horse drawn jinker from the Railway Station (See Reg Item 8321) The wheel set is being pushed under the tramcar by another tramcar. ...Provides information on how a tramcar body was fitted with a wheelset or truck (Brill Radiax EB1 type). Lifted on the jacks after delivery by a horse drawn jinker from the Railway Station (See Reg Item 8321) The wheel set is being pushed under the tramcar by another tramcar. Once fitted the tramcar would have been towed back into the depot and the motors etc connected. Has the Blakiston & Co. building in the background. Yields information about how tramcar bodies were lifted outside the Geelong tram depot in Brougham St in order to be made operational. Copy photograph on black plastic type backing with black edges of a Pengelley Adelaide built tramcar body on jacks being fitted with a truck or wheel set.geelong, tramways, pengelley, tram bodies, brill radiax truck, brougham st, trams -
Ballarat Tramway MuseumPhotograph - Geelong tram body being delivered from the Railway Station c1924
... Demonstrates the method of delivery of a tramcar body for Geelong from the railway station using a horse drawn jinker with the horse driver standing in the same location as a tram driver would have. ...Demonstrates the method of delivery of a tramcar body for Geelong from the railway station using a horse drawn jinker with the horse driver standing in the same location as a tram driver would have. ...Demonstrates the method of delivery of a tramcar body for Geelong from the railway station using a horse drawn jinker with the horse driver standing in the same location as a tram driver would have. Tramcar built by Pengelley of Adelaide. The tramcar bodies were delivered during 1924 and 1925.Yields information about the Pengelly built tramcars for Geelong c1924 and how tramcar bodies could be transported using a horse drawn jinker. At the time, the Geelong tram system operated by the Melbourne Electric Supply Co.Copy photograph on black plastic type backing with black edges of a Pengelley Adelaide built tramcar body for the Geelong tramway system being delivered 1924, from the Geelong Railway station.geelong, tramways, pengelley, tram bodies, horse drawn jinker -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps MuseumPhotograph, Hogan, John, 2001
... Photo taken c.1950 in front of the Harston Post Office. mail delivery cooma harston byrneside hogan john harston post office photograph people Hogan, John in horse drawn vehicle Hogan, John Photograph ...John Hogan, son of "King" Thomas Hogan, the last postman to deliver mail to Cooma, Harston & Byrneside areas. Photo taken c.1950 in front of the Harston Post Office.Hogan, John in horse drawn vehiclemail delivery, cooma, harston, byrneside, hogan, john, harston post office, photograph, people -
Surrey Hills Historical Society CollectionPhotograph, Thomas William Hall of 10 Pembroke Street Surrey Hills, 1940
... horse and cart in order to be able to make deliveries for trades people and hence pay his way through technical school. He attended technical school 3 evenings per week studying building, carpentry, plumbing, electrical work and bricklaying. He built many homes in the eastern suburbs. He played tennis and attended church at Church of Christ. Married Margaret on 2/4/1955. Retired to Dromana where he was a member of the garden club at Redhill. Died 24/7/2004. hall thomas william (mr) horse drawn ...Date is approximate. Donor is the widow of Thomas Hall. Biographical notes provided: Thomas was born in Melbourne on 14/9/1928 and lived at Olinda until c1932 when his family moved to 10 Pembroke Street, Surrey Hills. He attended Surrey Hills State School, then went on to Box Hill High School (and / or Technical School - both are mentioned). He bought a horse and cart in order to be able to make deliveries for trades people and hence pay his way through technical school. He attended technical school 3 evenings per week studying building, carpentry, plumbing, electrical work and bricklaying. He built many homes in the eastern suburbs. He played tennis and attended church at Church of Christ. Married Margaret on 2/4/1955. Retired to Dromana where he was a member of the garden club at Redhill. Died 24/7/2004.Black and white photo of a boy identified as Thomas William Hall of 10 Pembroke Street, Surrey Hills sitting on a delivery cart with Snowy the horse in harness. "T Hall / ....." is painted on to the side of the cart. Taken in the backyard of his home in readiness for making deliveries."THOMAS WILLIAM HALL / BORN 14.9.28 DIED 24-7-04" in blue biro on rear of photo at top.hall, thomas william (mr), horse drawn vehicles -
Yarrawonga and Mulwala Pioneer MuseumWilby Store Delivery Cart
... Yarrawonga and Mulwala Pioneer Museum 151 Melbourne St, Mulwala Used to deliver groceries around the Wilby area A wooden Four wheel horse drawn Cart Wilby Store Delivery Cart ...Used to deliver groceries around the Wilby areaA wooden Four wheel horse drawn Cart -
Yarrawonga and Mulwala Pioneer MuseumVehicle - Butcher Delivery Cart, Purchased by Hicks Butchery Mulwala from Goulburn NSW
... Quality Meats Wooden Cart Horse Drawn with long wooden shafts which has been restored Vehicle Butcher Delivery Cart ...Belonged to our local butcher Delivered meat round the townWooden Cart Horse Drawn with long wooden shafts which has been restored“Pleased to meet you with meat to please you “. Butcher. Quality Meats -
Surrey Hills Historical Society CollectionPhotograph, Edward Lloyd's butcher shop
... Atkinson's fruit & vegetable store was next to the Elgar Road facility. lloyd's butcher shop atkinson's fruit and vegetable shop carters land transport carts and wagons horse drawn vehicles mont albert box hill whitehorse road elgar road edward lloyd (mr) A black and white photograph of Lloyd's family butcher shop showing the carcasses hanging around the verandah. There are a few horse and delivery ...Lloyd butchers were located on the corner of Elgar & Whitehorse Roads (within the Surrey Hills postal district). From 1920-1950 Edward Lloyd also had a store at 112 Union Road, Surrey Hills. Atkinson's fruit & vegetable store was next to the Elgar Road facility. A black and white photograph of Lloyd's family butcher shop showing the carcasses hanging around the verandah. There are a few horse and delivery carts in the foreground.lloyd's butcher shop, atkinson's fruit and vegetable shop, carters, land transport, carts and wagons, horse drawn vehicles, mont albert, box hill, whitehorse road, elgar road, edward lloyd (mr)
