Historical information

The financial account book was used by the Warrnambool Harbour Board for its Emergency Account. It records transactions made with The Warrnambool branch of the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited during the year 1931.

The Secretary of the Warrnambool Harbour Board would have used this book in 1931. James Menzies, Pilot arid Harbour Master from 1929, was appointed as Acting Secretary for the Board in 1932 and held this office until the Board ceased in 1936. Warrnambool’s CBC Manager during this time was L E Whitney; he was Manager from 1924 to 1939.

The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited opened in 1893. On January 1, 1927 the CBC amalgamated with the Bank of Victoria. In 1981 the CBC merged with the National Bank of Australasia Limited and on January 1, 1983 the bank started using the abbreviated name of the National Australia Bank (NAB).

Warrnambool Harbour Board-

The Warrnambool Harbour Board was constituted by Order of Council on May 29, 1928, under the Harbour Board’s Act of 1927, taking over from the Ports and Harbours Branch of the Public Works Department of Victoria.

The Board was then the only body with power to manage and control the whole Port, including shipping, facilities upkeep and improvements of the port. The work it carried out involved dredging, building of port facilities and drafting of port regulations, and collecting taxes, tolls, rates and charges.

The Board was officially dissolved on June 30, 1936, at which time the Public Works Department again had control.

The Warrnambool Harbour Board had rented out the Lighthouse Keeper’s Quarters from the 1920s until 1936, when the Board closed down. However, rentals continued with other currently unknown landlords until Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village opened in 1975 and began renovating the Cottage, in stages.

Text on the fly page of the book is as follows –

“The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited with which is Amalgamated THE BANK OF VICTORIA LIMITED. Head Office – SYDNEY. Melbourne Office: 237 COLLINS STREET. BANKING Business of every description transacted. BRANCHES throughout VICTORIA, NEW SOUTH WALES and QUEENSLAND, and ADELAIDE BRANCH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, and AGENCIES throughout AUSTRALASIA and NEW ZEALAND on which DRAFTS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT Are issued and also on LONDON BRANCH and AGENCIES in all the PRINCIPAL CITIES of the world. Telegraphic Remittances made, Bills Negotiated or Forwarded for Collection, Advances made, Deposits received, Current Accounts kept. FURTHER PARTICULARS ON APPLICATON. “

Significance

This bank transaction book is of local and state significance for its association with the Port of Warrnambool and the Warrnambool Harbour Board.
The Warrnambool Harbour Board was the only board formed under the 1927 Harbour Boards Acts, even though other Victorian ports were eligible.
The book is also significant as an example of bank records used by Australian and overseas branches of the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited, and the Bank of Victoria Limited.

Physical description

Maroon coloured rectangular book with textured cover and cream coloured label attached. Label has a printed title on book plus hand written titles added in black and red. The corners of the book are rounded. The white pages have pre-printed text and lines.
The book was used for transactions between the Warrnambool Harbour Board’s Emergency Account and the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited during the year 1931.

Inscriptions & markings

Handwritten in black “WARRNAMBOOL HARBOUR BOARD “, “EMERGENCY A/C”
Printed in black “IN ACCOUNT CURRENT WITH”, “The Commercial Banking Coy. Of Sydney Ltd.”, “WITH WHICH IS AMALGAMATED”, “THE BANK OF VICTORIA LIMITED”, “Page …”