In April 1869 when the foundation stone of the Mortlake Mechanics' Institute was laid by Thomas Shaw of Wooriwyrite, this parchment scroll was sealed with other documents in the foundation stone. In 1891 when further alterations were made the hall these documents were retrieved from the stone. This building was erected to house the local library whichup until that time had been housed in the Morllake Common School.Discoloured foolscap parchment with copperplate lettering, some water damage which has caused the obliteration of the names of the Members of the Building Committee, Hon.Secretary and Architect. At a Public Meeting presided over by John Grieve Esq. President of the Shire/The foundation stone/of this building/was laid by - /Thomas Shaw Junior Esquire the President of the Institute on Monday/the 29th day of March A. D. 1869 in the 32nd year of the Reign of Her/Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria Sir I. A. T. Manners Sutton/being Governor of this Colony of Victoria/With this Scroll is Deposited/A copy of The Argus Newspaper of 28th March 1869/A copy of The Warrnambool Examiner of ? March 1869/A copy of The Belfast Examiner of 17th March 1869/Members of/The Building/ Committee/Hon.Secretary and Treasurer/Architect/Contractors/Messrs Jenkins and Harvey,Mason/Mr Joseph Wyatt,Carpenter.institute, free, libraries, public buildings, mortlake, mechanics

Belvoir drinks were marketed by Stephens Bros. They established their business in Wodonga c1938, having taken over the aerated water and drinks business previously operated by Messrs. E. Bartel and E. Clark. Bartel and Clark had purchased S. Mason Cordial Company from Samuel Mason Jr. in 1920. Samuel Mason Sr. began a bakery and aerated water company c1857. Stephens Brothers was operated by Lindsay, Donald and William Stephens. In 1947 they manufactured their own cement bricks to build a new factory in High Street, Wodonga. Over time they operated under various names including the Wodonga Cordial Company and Belvoir Wodonga Cordial Company. In 1938 their output of aerated waters was 100 dozen bottles a day but by 1948 that had doubled. In 1949 they also established a wood yard at their High Street premises to provide additional income during the slower winter months. In 1966 the company was purchased by the Tarax Ale Brewing Co. with Lindsay Stephens staying on as Company Manager.These artefacts has local significance as they are representative of a well-known Wodonga manufacturing business.2 different sized bottles for Belvoir soft drink. Both bottles feature the blue brand on one side and information related to manufacture and contents in white print on the opposite side. The larger bottle holds 26 fluid ounces and the smaller one holds 13 fluid ounces.On front: An oval shaped name "BELVOIR" surrounded by leaf design with white text "The seal of quality" above the oval and "A Flavour for every taste" beneath the name. On opposite side in white text: "MANUFACTURED BY/ WODONGA CORDIAL CO./ WODONGA/ PRESERVATIVE ADDED / ARTIFICIALLY COLOURED/ NET CONTENTS 19 FL OZ / PHONE WODONGA -39.wodonga manufacturing, stephens bros wodonga, wodonga cordial company, belvoir drinks wodonga

Stephens Bros. of Wodonga were established c1938, having taken over the aerated water and drinks business previously operated by Messrs. E. Bartel and E. Clark. Bartel and Clark had purchased S. Mason Cordial Company from Samuel Mason Jr. in 1920. Samuel Mason Sr. began a bakery and aerated water company c1857. Stephens Brothers was operated by Lindsay, Donald and William Stephens. In 1947 they manufactured their own cement bricks to build a new factory in High Street, Wodonga. Over time they operated under various names including the Wodonga Cordial Company and Belvoir Wodonga Cordial Company. In 1938 their output of aerated waters was 100 dozen bottles a day but by 1948 that had doubled. In 1949 they also established a wood yard at their High Street premises to provide additional income during the slower winter months. In 1966 the company was purchased by the Tarax Ale Brewing Co. with Lindsay Stephens staying on as Company Manager.These artefacts has local significance as they are representative of a well-known Wodonga manufacturing business.2 bottles for beverages produced by Stephens Bros., Wodonga. One is a taller brown bottle bearing the label of Stephen Bros Old Style Hop Beer. The second clear glass bottle is smaller and has the brand name embossed into the bottle.Label on brown bottle : "STEPHENS BROS/ WODONGA :: PHONE 39 /OLD STYLE / HOP BEER/ PRESERVATIVE ADDED" Embossed on clear glass bottle : On side: STEPHENS BROS WODONGA Around base of clear bottle: "THIS BOTTLE ALWAYS REMAINS THE PROPERTY OF STEPHENS BROS. WODONGA"stephens bros wodonga, wodonga cordial company, cordial companies wodonga, belvoir drinks wodonga, aerated drinks, hop beer