Historical information

Leather Cash Bags were generally used to transport wages and other cash between two locations. Each would have a brass plate fitted engraved with the home station or a from & to location. Cash would have been transferred from country stations to Melbourne. The lock was self-locking. Duplicate keys to the bags were held in the cashiers office Melbourne.

Significance

Used at local railway station Portland for transference of cash and cheques back to the Melbourne office. The bag is an example of the how people in the remote areas of Victoria used railways and trains to transfer money, banking and other items. The railway system was used to transfer people, goods and cash between the districts of western Victoria.

Physical description

Brown Leather oblong shaped cash bag. Reinforced leather panel on the front with a brass name plant that has been stamped with the word 'PORTLAND'. Leather buckle at the top with eye holes for threading. Brass lock shaped like teddy bear attached. Brass tag plate. Two keys and a tag attached to a key ring that is hanging and secured with tie wire.

Inscriptions & markings

Orange Tag - 'TRAVELLING CASH BAGS' / 'S.M. PORTLAND'
Larger Key - 'HUBBAIL' 'MELBOURNE' ' P37'
Smaller Key - 'PANTANT' 'LONDON'
Metal Tag - 'PORTLAND' (Worn off)
Lock - 'S205' ' PATANT' '120 QUEEN VICTORIA ST LONDON' ' MAKERS HER MAJESTY' '1202998'
Front bottom under the plaque hand written 'MELB'