Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 - 1953), Monday 18 November 1935, page 3


HENTY'S PLOUGH. ----x·---Sold for £190. Edward Hlenty's plough, with which the first sod of Victorian soil was turned at Portland in 1834, was sold by auction last week to Mr. A. C. Pearse, for Hudson's Stores, Bourke street, Melbourne, for £190. In spite of suggestions that the plough should be bought for the National Museum, it is understood that no bid was made on its behalf, and that the State Government was not interested in the auction. There were four bidders. Mr. Pearse said he was not certain what his firm would do with the plough. For a time it would be on view in the display window. He did not know whether it would be offered eventually to the National Trustees. Bidding began at £10 and rose by £5 bids to £105. At this stage the auctioneer conferred with Mr. John Kirkwood, of South Melbourne, and Mr. A. S. Bloomfield, chartered accountant, who were competing spir-itedly. When bidding was resumed, Mr. Pearse entered the field and raised the price to £190.. Edwcr.ld Henty presented the plough to Mr. Hugh Lennon, senr., in 1879, to.mark the progress made in the manufacture of ploughs. About ten years ago the late Mr. H. V. McKay offered Mr. Lennon £1000 for it, as he wanted the plough for his historic collection of agricultural implements at Sunshine, but the offor was refused for sentimental reasons.