Historical information

These items belonged to the Geoffrey Alexander, father of Karen Alexander. Karen's father was a civil engineer but learnt surveying as part of his course and later applied his surveying skills when local properties in the Dandenongs had to be broken up following the death of his father C T Alexander in 1942. Karen grew up in Belgrave in the mid-20th century and remembers being her father's 'staff bearer' when he needed to do surveying pursuant to creating subdivisions in her grandfather's old properties.

Physical description

Leather briefcase with central metal lock and two leather straps. It contains a Chesterman Bakelite 100 ft measuring tape, and a bound notebook used for surveying work - 1930s.
Notebook was initially a surveying student's notebook with student assignments completed around Melbourne University. These are followed by written and dated comments of supervisor. First date is 8/3/34.
Later the notepad was used by Karen Alexander's father in surveying work in the Dandenongs.

Inscriptions & markings

Underneath keyhole of metal lock on briefcase: ' English / LEVER'
On front of measuring tape case: 'Chesterman England Sheffield'.
On centre of measuring tape case: '100 FT'
On end of tape: 'METALLIC'
No discernible markings on outside of notepad but on inside front page is
written 'C.J.R. Johnston / 4 Bambra Road / Caulfield / S.E.7 / Ag. School / University / Carlton N3