Historical information

This book contains letters and mathematical computations on hydraulic engineering. The material has been compiled by Arnold Lilley (Lilly), an Oxford mathematician working in Victoria in the 1890s. It is said that he taught or coached 95% of the municipal surveyors in Victoria in the 1890s. The book came from the office of one of Lilley’s pupils, John William Crawley Junior, an engineer, surveyor and architect with a private practice in Warrnambool and also the engineer for the Shire of Warrnambool from 1895 to 1935. It is presumed that he had the letters bound in book form. The book passed to his son, Rolf Crawley, the engineer for the Shire of Warrnambool from 1935 to 1968. It later came into the possession of Michael Hand who took over the private surveying business of Rolf Crawley in Warrnambool. The Warrnambool and District Historical Society acquired the book, along with other Crawley ledgers, from the estate of Michael Hand.

Significance

This book is of interest as a memento of the 1890s teachings of the mathematician, Arnold Lilley and also of his pupil, John William Crawley, the engineer for the Shire of Warrnambool for 40 years.

Physical description

This is a blue hard-cover book containing handwritten letters and computations. There are some loose pages and some pages have postal stamps on them. The book spine is slightly scuffed.

Inscriptions & markings

‘Letters on Hydraulic Engineering by Arnold Lilly Esq Mathematical Coach. J. Wm. Crawley Junior Pupil’