Historical information

Scales were used in the Tarnagulla area of Central Victoria by Albert Charles Nicholls, who was a licensed assayer.
This information comes from David Gordon of the Tarnagulla.com web-site.
“The Nicholls family were very well known and highly respected at Tarnagulla in the 1800s. Albert's father, William Nicholls, was a leading figure in the gold mining community, and he both managed and owned quartz processing facilities for decades. He was probably the leading mining expert at Tarnagulla in a town full of mining experts, and it was said that no man at Tarnagulla had handled more gold over the years that him. (think in terms of tons of gold!) I would imagine the assaying equipment was probably passed in due course by William to Albert Charles.
There are records of Albert Charles mining at Tarnagulla with his father as a young man, but AC apparently came down to the city when the gold began to fade. There are records of him living in Kew up until his death in 1932. He was employed as a draper for a long period.”

Significance

This item is a significant item which is part of the history of gold mining in Victory.

Physical description

Gold assayer's scales, a very sensitive balance used in the assaying of gold, silver, etc.The scales are comprised of two circular brass pans suspended via brass chains to a metal balance.