Historical information

F.A. Roberts' 1920s motor service transported a small number of passengers from Emerald to Melbourne and back daily. The weekday service left Emerald at 8am and left Melbourne at 5:30pm - this might have served the role of an early commuter service for a small number of Emerald residents with work in Melbourne, but more likely allowed Emerald residents to travel into the city occasionally, conduct business there, and return. The weekend service leaves Melbourne earlier than normal on a Saturday and returns (whether to Emerald or to Melbourne) late on a Sunday. This timetable would have been constructed to allow for Melbourners to visit Emerald on the weekend as tourists, or for Emerald residents to spend a weekend in the city whether on tourism or business.

This service appears to have cost significantly more than a train journey; however, taking a direct route may have significantly cut down the travel time allowing for a more reasonable commute.

Significance

This item provides information and an image of Emerald's first regular motor service.

Physical description

This item is a photograph and paper cutout pasted together on a card backing. A handwritten caption is also written directly onto the card backing. The photograph is a black and white image of a 1920s Paige 'Larchmont Sport' 6-55 automobile, a seven-passenger touring car. It sits on a road, with only the driver - likely F.A. Roberts - within. Behind it is a wooden fence and a forest in the background.

Inscriptions & markings

Handwritten on Card: "Emerald's 1st motor service / operated by F.A. Roberts 1920's"
Printed on Pasted Cutout: "EMERALD TO MELBOURNE / MOTOR SERVICE / Leaves Emerald 8 a.m. Daily / Leaves Melbourne 5.30 p.m. / Flinders Street (Cathedral) / Saturday.—Emerald 8 a.m., / Melbourne, 1.30 p.m. / Sunday.—Emerald, 6.15 p.m., / Melbourne, 8.30 p.m. / Fare 5/- Each Way. / ROUND TRIPS CAN BE ARRANGED / F. Roberts."