Royal Mint, 287-295 La Trobe Street & 280-318 William Street, Melbourne
Butler, Graeme1985
Archives
Total copies: 1
Title:
Royal Mint, 287-295 La Trobe Street & 280-318 William Street, Melbourne
Creator:
Date of work:
1985
Reference number:
BIF-CITY 110142
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materialsTextual material
Part of:
Series: Central City (BIF-CITY)
Access restrictions:
UnrestrictedOpen access.
Use restrictions:
UnrestrictedPlease contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images.
General notes:
RESEARCH ADDED BY GRAEME BUTLER 2023:__________________________________________________DATE: 1869-1872;ASSOCIATIONS: Victorian Colonial Government;DESIGNER: William W Wardell, inspector-general of public works; Clark, J J Public Works Department project architect?;BUILDER: William Murray and Company and Martin & PeacockPeriod: Early VictorianVHR Number: H770____________________________VICTORIA HERITAGE REGISTER H0770Statement of SignificanceLast Updated: 20/12/1999What is significant?The Former Royal Mint was designed by John James Clark of the Public Works Office. Design work began in 1869 and it was built during 1871-72 by the contractors William Murray and Company of Emerald Hill, and Martin and Peacock of West Melbourne. The complex originally contained coin production facilities, administration and residential quarters and associated structures, but all that remains now are the two-storey office building and residence, two gate-houses, perimeter walling and palisading. The main two storey building is a rendered brick structure on a heavy rusticated base. Unlike the Palladian norm, the piano nobile is on the ground floor. The first floor features paired ionic columns, while an attic storey features oval windows. The perimeter wall is an imposing brick construction with large wrought iron gates and iron lamps.How is it significant?The Former Royal Mint is of historical and architectural significance to the State of Victoria.Why is it significant?The Former Royal Mint is of historical significance because of its important role in the economic, financial and political development of Victoria for nearly 100 years. Lobbying for a mint to be established in Australia began soon after the discovery of gold. Such an institution was considered by its proponents not only as an efficient way of providing currency for the colonies, but as an important sign of colonial independence and maturity. As such it reflects the growing wealth and confidence of gold-rush era Melbourne. As a branch of the Royal Mint, London, it initially bought gold and minted only gold sovereigns until 1916. The first Australian silver coins were minted in 1916, after the Federal Constitution gave the Commonwealth sole powers in the minting of coinage. The first Australian pennies and halfpennies were produced in 1927. When the Sydney Mint closed in 1926, the Melbourne Royal Mint became the only mint in Australia until it ceased operations in 1968.The Former Royal Mint is of architectural significance as one of the most impressive 19th century government buildings in Victoria, and for its associations with John James Clark.The administration building was styled after Raphael's Palazzo Vidoni-Caffarelli in Rome (1515). Its restrained ornamentation and dignified portico reflect the prestigious yet functional nature of the Mint. It is one of the finest examples of conservative classicism in Australia. Clark (1838-1915), who had a distinguished career in the office of the Colonial Architect (later Public Works Department) from 1852, when he was 14, until 1878, was responsible for designing a number of important colonial government buildings including the Government Printing Office (1856) and the Treasury (1857). He later went on to design major buildings in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth._____________________________________GRAEME BUTLER 1985 MELBOURNE CENTRAL ACTIVITIES DISTRICT CONSERVATION STUDYBUILDING IDENTIFICATION FORM cites source 81,7;_______________________________________VICTORIAN HERITAGE INVENTORY H7822-0132Date of first documented occupation, 1866_______________________________________NATIONAL TRUST OF AUSTRALIA (VIC)Statement of SignificanceLast Updated: 19/03/2008The Royal Mint once comprised a whole complex of buildings around a verandahed courtyard. The original two storey office and residence block flanked by arches and guard homes, the perimeter walling and palisading and the courtyard garden are all that remain of this complex. These buildings were erected in 1871-72; the architect was J J Clark of the Public Works Department. The contractors were Martin and Peacock and the P.W.D. supervised the work.The establishment of a Royal Mint in Melbourne reflects the importance and independence for which the early colonists aspired. The remaining building complex is one of the finest examples of conservative classicism in Australia and among Clark's masterpieces. The central administration wing (based on Raphael's Palazzon Cafferelli-Vidoni in Rome) and its flanking arches, guard homes and palisading form a dignified forecourt. The Bullion Room, staircase, rear garden and perimeter wall are very important features. The entrance portico has unfortunately been painted.Mint closed in 1970 and only the administrative building remains. Subsequently used by the Royal Historical Society and the Registry Office until building leased by TEAC in 2001.Classified: 22/05/1958_______________________________________NEWSPAPERS (TROVE)June 1872The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924)Saturday 8 June 1872 - Page 3https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/219155564COINING AT THE MELBOURNE BRANCH OF THE ROYAL MINT.His Excellency the Governor having expressed his intention to inspect the coining operations of the Melbourne branch of the Royal Mint on Friday fore noon, Col. Ward, the Deputy Master of the Mint, issued cards of admission for representatives of the Tress to be present during his Excellency’s visit. We are therefore able to give our readers an account of the coining operations as they are likely to be con ducted in Melbourne, when the machinery and appliances are all in perfect order.About five weeks ago, the Deputy Master of the Mint invited the bank managers of Melbourne to send him a few thousand ounces of gold to be coined into sovereigns; the conditions being simply that the banks were to lend the gold to experiment with, and they were to receive this first batch back again in sovereigns free of all expense for coinage. Some such •arrangement as this was necessary, for it was found that the machinery wanted adjusting, and the work men were more likely to obtain accurate results from the various furnaces, machines, dies, &c., by practical coining than by any other way. The buildings and machinery having been previously described in the Melbourne newspapers, we will not dwell upon this part of the subject, but will merely say that the splendid pile of buildings now in possession of Colonel Ward, as a branch of the Royal Mint, probably excel any similar British institution out of London, both in extent and completeness of design and in the machinery and appliances provided for the work.The buildings cover an area which may be roughly stated to have over 100 yards frontage to William street, extending, in fact, from Latrobe street to Little Lonsdale street, and having a depth even greater than the frontage. For our purpose, we will say that the buildings are arranged in form of a hollow square. The front building, facing William street, comprises offices for the Deputy Master, a board-room, account ants’ offices, pay offices, and quarters for one of the officers of the Mint up-stairs; and on the ground-floor (on the left as you cuter from the street) the public receiving-room and the offices of the Superintendent of the Bullion Office, Ac. The public room is large, and fitted in every respect in keeping with the ambitious design of the whole structure. As you enter this room you are faced by the clerks at the counter, who receive your gold. To the right of them is a small office for weighing out coin to those who may come for it, and a strong-room for securing all the valuable metal left m charge of the Mint; and at the back, and controlling the whole, is the Superintendent’s office. …..1873https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/70740794Messrs Reed and Barnes, the architects, have sent a letter to the Government; ‘denying in the most emphatic manner that they received any assistance from any of the officials in the Public Works Department in preparing their designs for the new Law Courts. It is very probable that the matter will be brought before a court of law, as if on the one hand Mr Smith's design is accepted, the other architects will sue for a' breach of conditions; and if on the other hand Mr Smith's design is not accepted, and the money duo for it is not paid, he will equally have a claim on the Government. Meanwhile a board consisting of Messrs Service, M'Lachlan, and Captain Harrison has been appointed to inquire into some charges which have been made against Mr J. J. Clarke of a similar character to those which have been made against Mr Johnsonhttps://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/199004723The Executive Council has ordered a -report from Mr Wardell on the Public Works Department scandal about tampering with the prize designs or designers. As to Mr J., J. Clarke, a board, consisting of MessrsJames Service, Lachlan, and Captain Harrison, will, sit upon his case.;.1878https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/143001085THE NEW LAW COURTS COMMITTEE.The select committee of the Assembly appointed to inquire into the circumstances under which the contract for the new law courts was let held another meeting on Tues day. The examination of Mr. J. J. Clark, architect in the Public Works department, was concluded, and Mr. Le Cren was re examined. The important point in Mr. Le Cren's examination was his production of the schedule of the tenders opened in March, 1877, which contained the estimate of the department of the cost of the building in brick, brick faced with Tasmanian stone, and brick faced with Mount Abrupt stone. From this it appeared that the departmental estimate of the buildings in brick faced with Tasmanian stone (for which Messrs. Pearson and Downie's tender at £239,438 was accepted) was £287,000, or considerably above the contract entered into. The committee adjourned until next Tuesday, when Mr. Joseph Jones, the late Commissioner of Public Works, and Messrs. Smith and John son, the architects for the buildings, will be examined..https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/240930186CIVIL SERVICE REDUCTIONS.'A return was presented to the Legislate Assembly on Wednesday showing the number of officers dismissed and those reinstated from July 1st, 1877, to June … 1878, in the Public Works department. Here were 15 classified officers and 21 unclassified, all or nearly all victims of Black Wednesday.The reductions amounted to £13,557 6s 8d., or, deducting salaries of those temporarily re-engaged and increased salaries of officers promoted, to £11,105.The compensations due amounted to £11,965, not including the annual retiring allowance of £280 to Mr A Gait, late secretary for Public Works. The following are the principal mounts for compensation:—W. W. Wardell, inspector-general, of public works, £1.886 ; S. H. Merrett, chief assistant architect, £1,080 ; A. T. Snow, assistant architect,. £1,034; J. J. Clark, assistant architect, £1,181; William Stokes, clerk, £1,008; Chas. P .i wand, engineer Roads and Bridges department, £1,437; H. Moseley, engineering surveyor, £951 ; A. C. Todd, travelling superintendent, £961. Of the unclassified officers four only received compensation. Among those who received no compensation was Mr C. J„ Taylor, superintending engineer of the Yan Yean, who was in receipt of a salary of £650.The officers temporarily reinstated were—J. J. Clark, assistant architect …_______________________________________WIKIPEDIA, THE FREE ENCYCLOPEDIA, 2021https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_James_Clark_______________________________________AUSTRALIAN DICTIONARY OF BIOGRAPHYhttps://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/clark-john-james-3216John James Clark (1838-1915), architect, was born on 23 January 1838 at Liverpool, England, the second son of George Clark, farmer and tailor, and his wife Mary, née Unwin. He was educated at the Collegiate Institute, Liverpool. The parents and six children arrived at Melbourne as unassisted migrants in the Martin Luther on 10 March 1852. While some of the family were briefly digging at one of the goldfields, James (the name by which he was known) was immediately accepted at 14 as acting draftsman on the staff of the colonial architect. Less than six years later he was signing drawings for the New Treasury in Spring Street, was acknowledged as its designer and supervised its construction. He was earning £450 a year by 1855 and his income was the primary support for the family in those early years. From February 1858 he was away for nine months visiting England. In 1861 Clark became by examination lieutenant of engineers and was later promoted captain. He continued an active association with army affairs for most of his life.…..https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/wardell-william-wilkinson-4802William Wilkinson Wardell (1823–1899)...On 7 March 1859 he was appointed inspecting clerk of works and chief architect in the Department of Works and Buildings and on 7 January 1861 was promoted inspector-general of public works, with the right of private practice. He was responsible for the construction of all public buildings in Victoria; some, such as Government House, Melbourne (1872), are attributed to him. All drawings and plans were probably prepared to his specifications and submitted to him for approval…_______________________________________STATE LIBRARY OF VICTORIA JOURNALhttps://latrobejournal.slv.vic.gov.au/latrobejournal/issue/latrobe-86/t1-g-t7.html#fn278-86
Related material link:
Topics:
Places:
Form/Genre:
Record types:
Research and reports
Record number:
1265231
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 110142 | 1 PDF : 1,350 KB ; A4 | Group of Items (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |