This bottle has come from the aerated waters factory of John Fletcher of Warrnambool. This factory in Koroit Street was established in the mid 19th century by John Davis. As a young boy John Fletcher worked at the cordial factory of John Rowley in Banyan Street, Warrnambool and then worked for a number of years for John Davis at his Union Cordial Factory. In 1885 John Fletcher succeeded John Davis and continued in this business until 1930. The business was then taken over by Ralph Reeves. John Fletcher manufactured aerated waters, soda, tonic waters, lemonade, ginger ale, hop beer, hop bitters, sarsaparilla and cordials. The bottle would have been sealed with a cork stopper. The torpedo shape of the bottle would ensure that it was stored on its side, keeping the cork moist so that it didn't shrink and cause the bottle to leak its contents.The bottle is significant for its unusual torpedo shape and for being sold by the long standing John Fletcher's soft drink business in Warrnambool who was a prominent soft drinks manufacturer in Warrnambool for over 40 years.Torpedo shaped green glass bottle, name of manufacture of contents, John Fletcher Late and J. Davis, of Koroit St Warrnambool, is impressed in the glass."John Fletcher Late and J. Davis Koroit St Warrnambool"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, torpedo shaped glass bottle, torpedo bottle, bottle, john fletcher late and j. davis koroit st warrnambool, john fletcher late and j. davis, john fletcher late, j. davis

This bottle is called a torpedo bottle. It cannot stand up but lies on its side so that the soda contents are kept in contact with the cork. This stops the cork from shrinking and the consequent loss of pressure. The bottle came from the Warrnambool aerated waters factory of John Fletcher and would have held soda. The bottle has the name of both John Davis and John Fletcher on it. John Davis established a store in Warrnambool in the mid 19th century and he also established the Union Cordial Factory in Koroit Street in the mid 1860s. John Fletcher worked at that factory for John Davis and in 1885 he bought the factory from John Davis. The Fletcher business continued until 1930. As the name of Davis is on the bottle (‘late J. Davis’) it is probable that this bottle dates from the early years of the Fletcher business. This bottle is of some considerable interest as it appears to be an early example of a John Fletcher bottle (late 19th century). Fletcher was a prominent businessman in Warrnambool for over 40 years. This is a green glass bottle, known as a torpedo bottle. It has a spherical-shaped body with a pointed curved end and a rounded neck with a round moulded top. There is no stopper. The details of the soda manufacturer are embedded into the glass on the side of the bottle. ‘John Fletcher late J. Davis Koroit St. Warrnambool’ john fletcher of warrnambool, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This is a soda syphon for holding soda water used by the aerated waters business of Reeves of Warrnambool (possibly bottled in the 1970s or 80s). It is a Fletcher bottle. John Davis established a cordial business in Warrnambool in 1859 and this business was taken over by John Fletcher. Ralph Reeves purchased the Fletcher business from the estate of the late John Fletcher in 1931 and continued to use the Fletcher bottles. The business of Reeves soft drinks continued in Koroit Street until the 1980s.This soda syphon is of considerable importance as it links two prominent soft drinks makers in Warrnambool – Fletcher and Reeves. It will be useful for display as it tells of a time when this sort of soda syphon was in use.This bottle is a soda syphon with an oblong-shaped glass base and a metal spout. It has a solid glass base and a pink-coloured tube inside the bottle. It has a chip on the base and the spout is a little corroded. The name and logo (scrolls and patterns) of J. Fletcher of Warrnambool is etched into the glass. There is also a red and cream paper label of Reeves.Paper label: ‘Reeves soda water’ Glass etching: ‘J. Fletcher, Warrnambool, F. Trade Mark’ john fletcher, reeves family

This display case stood in the foyer of the Fletcher Jones shop in Flaxman Street, Warrnambool which was in the factory complex. The fleece came from the property of Jim Wilson of Camperdown . It is from a merino flock bred from original flock dating back to the time of John MacArthur, founder of the Australian wool industry. David Fletcher Jones, ( 1895 -1977) established his men's clothing shop in Warrnambool in the 1920s and from this grew an Australia wide company Fletcher Jones and Staff which was famous for its men's wear and later women's clothing. By 2011 the Warrnambool factory was closed and the company dissolved.This item is of particular interest as it came from a Fletcher Jones shop. Fletcher Jones factory and shop were part of a major industry in Warrnambool's history. As the notice in the display case says the fleece "represents living evidence of a mile stone in Australia's laudable history of fine wool growing"This is a large glass display case, mounted on a wooden base. It contains a sheep fleece and a framed notice containing typed information.fletcher jones clothing company, merino wool growing in australia

Tait collection: item 40 of 62 This document gives the details of the Will and Probate of Edward Jones, an engine driver who died in Warrnambool in January 1895 at the age of 69. He had previously been a resident of Port Fairy. He left real estate to the value of £640 and personal estate to the value of £187. The beneficiaries of the will were his daughters, Margaret and Mary Jones. The lawyers connected with this document were Ernest Chambers and the legal firm of Fletcher and Mackay. Ernest Chambers had legal offices in Port Fairy, Koroit and Warrnambool at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century and the signatures of two of his law clerks, Thomas Goodall and John White are included in this document. James Fletcher had a legal office in Port Fairy and in Warrnambool in the 1870s and in Warrnambool in the 1880s (Koroit Street). In the late 1890s he commenced a partnership with George Mackay who had previously had his own practice in Warrnambool. In the 1920s the firm became known as Mackay and Taylor and later Mackay Taylor (Kepler Street). This document was in the possession of Ernest Chambers and was passed down to successive lawyers occupying the Kepler Street premises. It was located in 2014 with other documents in these premises last occupied by the firm of Mackay Taylor. This document is of some interest as it gives details of the Will and Probate of Edward Jones who had been a resident of Warrnambool in the late 19th century. It will be useful for researchers. This is a cream-coloured piece of parchment paper folded in two and containing handwritten material on three sides of the paper. It gives details of the Will and Probate of Edward Jones of Warrnambool who died in 1895. The pages have printed red lines on the edges of three pages. The written material is clean and readable.In the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria In its Probate Jurisdiction in the Will of Edward Jones late of Warrnambool and formerly of Belfast in the County of Villiers in the Colony of Victoria Engine driver deceasedfletcher and mackay, lawyers,, warrnambool, ernest chambers,, edward jones, tait collection

The making of cordials and aerated waters was an important industry in Warrnambool from the time of the first settlement up to the 1980s. John Fletcher succeeded John Davis in Koroit Street in 1885 and manufactured aerated waters, soda, lithia, tonic waters, lemonade, ginger ale, hop beer, hop bitters, sarsparilla and cordials. He installed many improvements around the late 1880's including an improved soda water machine which was also used for bottling lemonade, ginger ale and syphons. He sold to Ralph Reeves in 1930 and the business continued until the 1980's under the name of Reeves. The premises in Koroit St were auctioned in 1989.Warrnambool cordial bottles are of considerable significance as examples of an important local industry now gone. The Fletcher business was a well-known business in Warrnambool for 45 years.Round bottle with raised lettering in glass and indented sections on top section of bottle with marble enclosed. Clear greenish glass.J Fletcher’s Aerated waters Koroit Street Warrnambool vertically on bottle with lemonade horizontally on the other side. M on bottom of bottle.warrnambool,fletcher's aerated waters, fletcher's cordial , cordial bottle,

This bottle is known as a marble stopper bottle. The bottle was filled upside down so that as soon as the filling stopped the stopper was forced down to seal the bottle against the rubber ring. Pressure inside the bottle would keep the marble pressed against the top of the bottle. To open the bottle the marble was pressed down where it would fall into the neck chamber below. The marble would stay inside the chamber when the bottle was tilted up for drinking. This bottle came from the aerated waters factory of John Fletcher. This factory was commenced in the mid 19th century by John Davis. As a young boy John Fletcher worked at the cordial factory of John Rowley in Banyan Street, Warrnambool and then worked for John Davis at his Union Cordial Factory for many years. In 1885 he succeeded John Davis in this business. Fletcher’s business continued until 1930 and it later was bought by Ralph Reeves. John Fletcher manufactured aerated waters, soda, tonic waters, lemonade, ginger ale, hop beer, hop bitters, sarsaparilla and cordials. This bottle is of interest, firstly because it is a good example of the marble stopper type of bottle, no longer in use. It is also important because it is a John Fletcher bottle and he was a prominent soft drinks manufacturer in Warrnambool for over 40 years. This is a green-coloured glass bottle with a round base. The top of the body of the bottle has two heavy indentations either side, narrowing the entry to the body of the bottle. The neck is short and thick and the opening at the top of the bottle is moulded with a rubber ring around the inside. A glass marble is loose inside the bottle neck. The name of the manufacturer is moulded into the glass on the side and includes a crown symbol used as a trade mark.‘John Fletcher Trade Mark Warrnambool’ john fletcher, warrnambool, cordial manufacturers in warrnambool

This ledger contains information on deeds, wills and properties from many Warrnambool and district residents in the 1940s and 1950s. The ledger comes from the law firm of Mackay and Taylor of Warrnambool. Scottish-born George Mackay established a legal practice in Kepler Street, Warrnambool in 1891 and in 1893 bought the next-door practice of the late James Fletcher and the firm was then known as Fletcher and Mackay. In the 1920s George Mackay took John Taylor into partnership and the business then became Mackay and Taylor (later Mackay Taylor). In 1999 Taits Solicitors and Mackay Taylor merged to form Tait Taylor and today it is known as Taits Legal. This ledger is of some importance as it contains so much information on Warrnambool and district families and their property ownership in the 1940s and 50s and so will be of great use to researchers. This is a ledger with a grey cover with red binding on the spine. The cover has a white label pasted on, with printed and handwritten material. The pages have printed red lines but these have not been used. Instead the pages contain letters, typed sheets and receipts pasted in. Some of the letters and receipts are handwritten and some are typed. Day Book Mackay & Taylor Deed Receipts 1946-19…mackay & taylor, history of warrnambool, ledger – deed receipts

This ledger contains material from the legal firm of Mackay and Taylor for the period 1931 to 1946. The material includes receipts, letters and typed summaries concerning the wills and property of Warrnambool and district residents at that time. Scottish-born George Mackay established a legal practice in Kepler Street, Warrnambool in 1891 and in 1893 he bought the next-door practice of the late James Fletcher, with the business then known as Fletcher and Mackay. In the 1920s John Taylor became a partner with Mackay under the name of Mackay and Taylor (later Mackay Taylor). In 1999 Taits Solicitors of Warrnambool merged with Mackay Taylor to form Tait Taylor. Today this business is known as Taits Legal. This ledger is of some importance as it contains much historical information (wills, deeds, property ownership etc) on Warrnambool and district residents in the 1930s and 40s. It will be very useful to researchers.This is a ledger with a black cardboard cover and red binding on the spine. The binding has broken and the covers and sections of the pages are detached. The cover is much stained and rubbed. The pages have been printed with red and blue lines but these have not been used. Instead a variety of letters, receipts and typed material have been pasted onto the pages. Some of the letters and receipts have been handwritten and some have been typed.Receipt Bookwarrnambool, warrnambool history, mackay taylor, ledger warrnambool, fletcher and mackay

In 1888 it was reported in "Victoria and its Metropolis" that John Fletcher carried on the business of a manufacturer of aerated waters, cordials, hop bitters, etc. in Warrnambool, and traded throughout the Western District. The establishment was started by a Mr. J. Davis with whom Mr. Fletcher was connected from its commencement, and whom he succeeded in 1885. His business continued until 1930. The Warrnambool and District Historical Society has a collection of bottles used by John Fletcher to contain his products. These labels are significant as John Fletcher was a most successful manufacturer of cordials and aerated waters in Warrnambool in the late 1800s and early 1900s .1 Buff coloured rectangular card label with black text. 2 Rectangular label with curved top adhered to a piece of white paper. It is coloured red, blue black and gold and features two standards and text. .3 Rectangular label with curved top adhered to the reverse of .2. It is coloured red and green and features a sketch of Punch carrying a bowl of a steaming substance and text .4 Rectangular label with curved top adhered to a piece of white paper. It is coloured red, apricot, dark and light blue, gold and black. It features the linked initials JF, two standards a trade mark and text .5 Rectangular label with curved top adhered to the reverse of .4 It is coloured red, blue, green, black and gold. It features two standards and text. .6 Identical to .3 but not adhered to paper .7,.8, .9 .10 White rectangular labels with red text. .9 has a damaged corner. .10 is adhered to a piece of white paper. .11,.12,.13,.14,.15..16 Red rectangular labels with black text and a coat of arms. .13 is adhered to a piece of pink card, .17 Blue rectangular label with text and a coat of arms .1 FROM J. FLETCHER, WARRNAMBOOL Manufacturer of Aerated Waters, Soda, Lithia and Tonic Waters, Lemonade, Ginger Ale, Hop beer, Hop Bitters, Sarsaparilla and all Cordials .2 SUPERIOR CONCENTATED COMPOUND EXTRACT OF SARSAPARILLA PREPARED FROM THE BEST RED ROOT OF JAMAICA SARSAPARILLA J. FLETCHER,WARRNAMBOOL .3 HOT CHILLIE PUNCH J. FLETCHER WARRNAMBOOL Approximately 26 Oz. .4 UNION TRADE MARK JOHN FLETCHER WARRNAMBOOL HOP BITTERS EXTRACTED FROM THE FLOWER .5 J FLETCHER WARRNAMBOOL SUPERIOR GREEN COLOURED WITH BURNT SUGAR GINGER CORDIAL .6 Identical to .3 .7,.8,.9,.10 ASK FOR XXX HOP A1 BEER J FLETCHER WARRNAMBOOL .11,.12,.13.14,.15.16 SODA WATER J Fletcher .17 LITHIA WATER J FLETCHER WARRNAMBOOL john fletcher, warnambool, cordials

Eight of these letter books contain letters written by the Warrnambool lawyer George Mackay. They are mostly letters written to contacts while he was living in Scotland and letters sent from Warrnambool to Scotland to his daughter, Margueretta (Meta) who was studying medicine. Scottish-born George Sutherland Mackay (1850-1926) opened a legal practice in Kepler Street, Warrnambool in 1891 and in 1893 bought the business of the late James Fletcher, with the business known as Fletcher and Mackay. In the 1920s John Taylor became a partner and the firm of Mackay, Taylor & Co. (later Mackay Taylor) continued until 1999 when it merged with Taits Solicitors to form Tait Taylor (now Taits Legal). George Mackay was a Warrnambool Councillor and the first Mayor to hold office for four successive years. He was instrumental in getting the Warrnambool High School established and was the Chairman of the first School Council. Two of these letter books contain letters written by Ernest Powling. One letter book contains letters written by James Mack, a Warrnambool accountant These letter books are of considerable importance as they contain letters relating to legal matters in Warrnambool and district from the late 19th century to the mid 1940s. The letters also give an insight into the private life of a prominent Warrnambool lawyer, George Sutherland Mackay..1 This letter book has a dark blue cover, brown leather binding, an alphabetical index with tabs and handwritten letters. The spine is damaged. .2 This letter book has a dark red cover with red binding, an alphabetical index with tabs, a handwritten label on the front cover, information on the ledger maker and the handwriting of the letter writer inside the front cover. The spine is slightly damaged. .3 This letter book has a dark red mottled cover with white binding, an alphabetical index with tabs and a handwritten label on the front cover. .4 This letter book has a dark red cover with white paper binding and a handwritten label on the cover. .5 This letter book has a dark blue cover, red binding, and alphabetical index with tabs. The spine is slightly damaged. A loose receipt is inside the front cover. .6 This letter book has a mottled blue and pink cover, black binding, an alphabetical index with tabs and handwritten personal letters. .7 This letter book has a dark green cover, brown binding, an alphabetical index with coloured tabs and handwritten private letters. .8 This letter book has a mottled cover with black binding and an alphabetical index with tabs. Many of the letter copies are upside down. .9 This letter book has a dark green cover with red binding, an alphabetical index with tabs and handwritten personal letters. .10 This letter book has a dark green cover with buff-coloured leather binding, an alphabetical index with tabs and copies of typed letters. The leather is torn on the front cover. .11 This letter book has a green cover, a brown leather spine and a paper label pasted on the cover. This book has the spine detached and is badly waterstained .2 G Sutherland Mackay 1874 Private Letter Book james mack, warrnambool, ernest powling, port fairy, george mackay, warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This ledger is Volume One of a series of Copy Title Books that contain certificates of land titles from the Warrnambool district in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It came from the former premises of the Warrnambool legal firm, Mackay Taylor. This firm originated in the 1890s when George Mackay established a legal practice in Kepler Street, Warrnambool. In 1893 he bought the legal business of James Fletcher, following the death of the latter and the practice became known as Fletcher and Mackay. In 1926 John Taylor became a partner with George Mackay (who died that year) and Mackay, Taylor and Co continued on until 1999 when the firm merged with Tait Solicitors and became Tait Taylor. In 2010 it was renamed Taits Legal. This ledger is of great importance as it contains early certificates of titles of land and property in the Warrnambool district. The information contained therein will be of significant importance to researchers of local history.This is a hard cover book of 200 pages with a mottled green cover and black binding. The index is typed and the contents include certificates of land and property titles and some sketch maps.warrnambool land and property, mackay taylor, history of warrnambool

This soda syphon (or siphon) was distributed by John Fletcher of Warrnambool, and made by the British Syphon Mfg. Co. Ltd. of London between the 1900s-1930s. It comprises a multi-sided clear glass bottle, an internal glass tube and a metal release valve and spout on the top. It was used to dispense pressurised, effervescent soda water. It was often used as an alternative to water or added to fruit juices and cordials. The text on this bottle states that it remains the property of the retailer, John Fletcher, and must be returned to him. Customers were asked for a deposit on the bottle, which would be refunded when the bottle was exchanged or continued as the deposit on a fresh bottle. Returned bottles would be cleaned and recharged with the gas and sold again. Soda syphon are bottles, glass or metal, with a release valve and spout on the top. The valve lever on the top of the syphon, when depressed, causes the gas in the syphon to force the water up through the tube and out of the spout. The bottle’s mechanism gives the water an effervescent quality to make bubbly drinks such as sparkling mineral water, soda water and sparkling water. ABOUT JOHN FLETCHER John Fletcher bought the Union Cordial Factory in Koroit Street, Warrnambool that was previously owned by John Davis. Fletcher operated the factory as J Fletcher, John Fletcher and Fletcher’s. He eventually sold his business and stock in 1930 to Ralph Reeves, who may have continued using Fletcher’s supply of drink containers before renewing them with stock showing his own brand. The soda syphon is representative of drink containers used in the later 19th and early 20th century. It also represents the system of returnable, recyclable containers. Soda syphon (or siphon). Glass bottle, clear, multi sided, tapered from a heavy glass base to a narrower shoulder, with glass tube at centre connected to metal pump mechanism at the top. Has elaborate frosted label for J. Fletcher of Warrnambool. Made by the British Syphon Mfg. Co. Ltd. London. Bottle remains the property of John Fletcher, Warrnambool.Metal syphon has impressed "J FLETCHER" and logo "S S" in centre of two concentric circles with text between circles "BRITISH SYPHON MFG. CO. LTD. LONDON". Etched into glass "J. FLETCHER / WARRNAMBOOL", "TRADE "[stylised] F" / MARK", "SODA WATER", "THIS SYPHON IS THE PROPERTY / OF JOHN FLETCHER / WARRNAMBOOL AND CONNOT BE / AND CONNOT BE LEGALLY USED BY OTHERS / BRITISH SYPHON CO. TLD. LONDON / - - - - "flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, john fletcher, fletcher, john fletcher of warrnambool, soda siphon, soda syphon, british syphon mfg co ltd of london, soft drinks, soda drinks

This bottle once contained John Fletcher’s ginger cordial. It was found in August 2014 in the sand dunes at Levy's Point, near McKinnon's quarry, Warrnambool. ABOUT JOHN FLETCHER of WARRNAMBOOL John Fletcher Cordial (or Beverage) Co . Warrnambool, supplied cordial and aerated drinks to the Western district of Victoria. John Fletcher was named as a cordial manufacturer in the Warrnambool Standard of June 13th 1895, when he attended a Publican’s Association meeting. Mr John Fletcher, aerated water and cordial manufacturer of Koroit Street Warrnambool, had a summary of his factory printed in a short article in the Advocate, Melbourne, in February 1901. The article said “one of the most complete plants outside the metropolis … spacious … well appointed …old-established business … noted for the excellence of the quality … a trial [of the beverage] is solicited.” John Fletcher and Harold Caffin, trading as J.S. Rowley & co cordial manufacturers in 1903; were prosecuted in September 1903 when the Board of Health found an analysed sample of Raspberry Vinegar to contain coal tar colouring, which could be injurious to health, particularly to the kidneys. The factory was still in operation in December 1924, when sadly, Mr S. Fletcher, who was carrying bottles of aerated water at Mr John Fletcher’s cordial factory, sustained an eye injury when one of the bottles burst. Later the eye had to be removed at the Warrnambool Base Hospital. ABOUT CODD BOTTLES During the mid-to-late 1800s there were many inventions to keep the fizz in carbonated drinks such as ginger ale, soda water and fruit drinks. Hiram Codd, an English engineer invented a successful process that he patented as “Codd’s patented globe stopper bottle” in 1872. The Codd-neck bottle (commonly called Codd or marble bottle) is manufactured in two parts. The body of the bottle is cast in two sections. At the time of joining the sections a glass marble and rubber seal are inserted into the neck section. The lip is then applied to the top of the bottle. The Codd bottle is filled upside down as the pressure of the gas from the carbonated liquid holds the marble up and out of the way. When the bottle stands upright the gas pushes the marble up against the washer, creating a firm seal to keep the fizz inside. The bottle is opened by pushing the marble down firmly to allow some of the gas to escape. The marble drops down and is caught in a depression formed in the neck. When the bottle is tilted to pour or drink the liquid the marble rests in a dimple. Some have said that the bottle as a character, the shape having a face with its mouth keeping the marble out of the drink and eyes that catch the marble so that it doesn’t roll into the mouth of the drinker. The Codd bottle was expensive to produce and children loved to destroy the marbles to play with the marbles inside. Many shops and factories added a deposit to the cost of buying the drink to encourage children to return the bottles rather than break it for the marble. Codd bottles are still being produced in India and Japan for soft drinks. A Codd bottle with the same markings as this one is valued on today’s Australian auction sites from $35 - $75 AUD. Bottle, aqua/green glass, with glass marble inside. John Fletcher's Ginger Ale, Warrnambool. Container is often called a "Codd neck bottle", “marble bottle” or “Codd’s patent bottle”. Bottle made by Dobson. Inscription on bottle and base. c. 1905Marks moulded into glass; "JOHN FLETCHER / GINGER ALE / WARRNAMBOOL" and “DOBSON” and on base “G”. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, codd bottle, codd neck bottle, marble bottle, ginger beer bottle, john fletcher soft drinks, warrnambool soft drinks and cordials, john fletcher cordial (or beverage) co ., codd neck bottle, glass stopper bottle, hiram codd, antique bottle, harold caffin, john fletcher