Sir, Mr Jas Cooney’s letter in “The Age” of 27^th October asked whether anyone can remember Mr Dott’s glass works in Munster terrace – also the Crocketts.

I knew them all for many years, as we lived in that place at the corner of Lothian and Victoria Streets, when not many houses were about.

Does Mr Cooney remember Stewart’s jam factory started in an old shed, long before Guest’s biscuit factory and Mr Hugh Lennon’s first plough works?

The swamp used to come right up to the works. I got a job in Stewarts jam factory, and later was promoted to ordering and making the jam tins.

I have received two letters from my old place and school mates; one is over 81 years, and well, and I think she can claim to be the oldest long living resident of Hotham.

Miss Cockerell, then, they lived next door to us in Abbotsford Street for many years.

The other oldest resident is from West Melbourne – Stanley Street. He is still alive and well.

I can remember all the people, houses and streets in Hotham, having been a native and a very wild boy.

Does Mr Cooney remember Peter Tracey’s Black Prince and the corner of Curzon and Baillie Streets, or Mr Catt and Ned O’Keefe, firemen.

I was at the fire at Gracie’s timber yards, and also The Magpie.

Yours &c. C.B. HOARE, Yarraville

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These letters have been collected by members of the Hotham History Project and are known as ‘The Age Letters 1934’.

by Charles B. Hoare. First published in The Age Melbourne,  November 3rd 1934.

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