Historical information
The set of seven imperial weights were used in the Post Office in Wodonga. The first Post Office in Wodonga opened on the 6th June 1856, and a second Post Office was built in 1874 on the corner of Sydney Road which became High St. and South St. In 1878 there were three staff at the Wodonga Post Office, including the Postmaster/Telegraph Manager and two Office-Keepers/Messengers. The mail service in 1878 included delivery four times a day from the Railway Station to the Post Office in Wodonga, and to and from the Wodonga Post Office to Albury twice a day.
Significance
The set of seven imperial weights has local and state significance as it was used in the Wodonga Post Office in North East Victoria before decimal currency was introduced in Australia in 1966. The weights also have national significance as examples of the equipment used in post offices in Australia pre 1966.
Physical description
Set of seven cast iron and lead weights with imperial measurements '4 oz, 8oz, 1 lb, 2 lb, 3 lb, 4 lb, and 7 lb' The exterior circular black painted cast iron encases the heavy inner grey lead component, which is visible from the underside.
Inscriptions & markings
"4 oz.", "8 / oz.", 1 lb.", "1 lb.", "2 lb.", "3 lb.", 4 lb.", MERCURY / 7 LB." on the top of the weights in raised numbers and letters.
Subjects
References
- AlburyWodongaAustralia.com, “Albury Wodonga History” Accessed 12 April 2021.
- University of Nottingham, “Manuscripts and Special Collections” Accessed 12 April 2021.
- Parliament of Victoria, 1879, “Post Office and Telegraph Department Report for the Year 1878” Accessed 12 April 2021.
- Wodonga Historical Society, “History Articles: Connecting Communities” Accessed 12 April 2021.
- Wodonga Council, “About Council” Accessed 14 April 2021.
