Historical information

This image appeared in the Australasian Sketcher on 13th August 1881. The initials in the corner indicate the artist may have been J D Cooper who worked with the Australasian Sketcher at that time.

The Australia Customs Service played an important role in the history of Wodonga and a major part in the federation of the colonies of Australia. In 1852 the colonies were given the right to collect import duties on items such as coffee, tea, tobacco, chocolate and spirits. NSW was first to impose collection of duties in 1853. At that time Wodonga was not an official port of entry and was not allowed to collect duties. This regulation made it illegal for people to transport dutiable goods across the Murray River from NSW which provided an incentive for smuggling, while at the same time strangling the legitimate trade.

Belvoir (later to become Wodonga) was a made a port of entry with its own Customs House gazetted on 22nd December 1854. The Government set aside 500 Pounds in 1859 to build Belvoir's own Customs House.

After the arrival of the Railways to Wodonga in 1873, Customs Officers also checked travellers on the trains.
The Sydney Morning Herald on 31st March 1881 reported:-
"Luggage Scrutinised:
The discomfort attending travellers proceeding overland from Sydney having to submit to their luggage being scrutinised by the Custom House officials at Wodonga is about to be increased. Passengers doing this journey must now be present on the platform at the Wodonga terminus three-quarters of an hour before the train leaves for Melbourne; and the Customs authorities have intimated that unless passengers attend as indicated, with the keys of their portmanteaus ready to open them for the inspection of the officers, the luggage will be detained until the next train, when it will be forwarded under bond, the owners having to pay the carriage."

Tariffs were one of the most contentious issues which influenced discussions surrounding Federation. They were abolished when Federation was achieved in 1901.

Significance

This item is significant because it depicts an early view of Wodonga when it was still an important customs post.

Physical description

A print from a pencil sketch which was published in the Australasian Sketcher 1881. It features a scene at the customs office in Wodonga.

Inscriptions & markings

Initials JD in bottom right corner