Victoria - Colonial period: 1854-1900.
The lines to the north-east of Melbourne.

 

In the region leading from suburbs in Melbourne's north-east outwards, three distinct lines were constructed:
    1. the Whittlesea branch;
    2. the Kangaroo Ground branch;
    3. the Lilydale branch

These lines retained their relative individuality even through the 1890 reorganisation.

 

1. The Whittlesea branch

The branch was commenced with the telegraph line being constructed from Collingwood to Northcote and Preston in 1876. The Age of 10 June 1876 reported that "The posts are being erected at a distance of five chains apart. The route is from the Collingwood Post Office to the North end of Smith Street, thence along the Heidelberg Road to a point opposite the Junction Store and thence along High Street".

This line extended from Preston to Morang, Yan Yean, Hazelglen and Whittlesea in 1878/79.

At the Whittlesea Council metting of 8 April 1878, it was agreed "to ask the Postmaster-General for the telegraph wire to be extended to Whittlesea, the Reservoir and the Yan Yean Post Office". The following month, GOOD NEWS was received by the Council - "A letter was received from the Deputy Postmaster-General stating that an application for extending the electric telegraph to Whittlesea and the Yan Yean Post Office would receive due consideration".

The Argus of 31 May 1878 reported "The want of railway communication between the Plenty districts and Melbourne is being much talked about at the present time ... The residents of Whittlesea are also asking for a line of telegraph, which would not only be a boon to the inhabitants but it would be of great service in case of further accidents to the Yan Yean aqueduct".

After a deputation had met with Mr. Patterson about 1 September 1878, Mr. Patterson intimated in the Legislative Assembly of 22 October 1878, in reply to a question of which Mr. Ramsay had given notice in the Assembly, that the telegraph line to Whittlesea and the loop line to Yan Yean, are now being marked out and that instructions will be given for the work to be commenced without delay.

On 25 October, the Gazette announced that a tender had been accepted from Mr. A. Chitts for the supply of 426 telegraph poles for the line from Preston to Whittlesea at a cost of £426.

In 1887, the line linked Clifton Hill and Northcote to South Preston and then to Preston

In 1890, there were two component lines - see lines 70 and 80 at the base of this page.

At some stage, Pheasant Creek was added to the Whittlesea Branch line.

 

2. The Kangaroo Ground branch

The Mercury of 15 July 1876 noted: "Now the telegraph lines are completed to Preston, the men are employed in laying down the posts for the line to Heidelberg, along the Heidelberg Road, through Alphington and Ivanhoe".

Towards the end of 1876, tenders were called "to provide and erect telegraph poles between Heidelberg and the Post Office at Eltham".

In 1887 there was an extension of the line from Heidelberg to Diamond Creek (via Greensborough). In 1890, the Telegraph line was Line 38: Melbourne through Collingwood, Heidelberg, Eltham to Kangaroo Ground (with a parallel telephone circuit).

The Hurstbridge railway line from Melbourne commenced service in 1888 and it ran from Collingwood through Victoria Park, Fairfield, Heidelberg, Greensborough, Macleod and Eltham to Hurstbridge.

 

3.The Lilydale branch.

A telegraph line - constructed from Kew via Camberwell to Lilydale by Mr. G. W. Owen - was opened in July 1876 and celebrated soon after with an amazing banquet.

In September 1882, the railway line was completed to Box Hill and there were hopes the railway would soon be extended to Lilydale also.

In 1890, this line was Line 64 and it later included Ringwood.

Camberwell Railway Station was also on the Lilydale Branch as part of the Railway Circuit.

 

The 1890 classifications.

By 1890, increased construction and a re-configuring of the linkages meant that there was two lines to and in the general north area of Melbourne. The lines which were not solely for telephones were:

Line 38: Melbourne through Collingwood. Heidelberg, Eltham to Kangaroo Ground
(telephones in parallel circuit).
Line 64: Melbourne through Richmond, Kew, Hawthorn, Box Hill, Mitcham, Lilydale
to Healesville.
Line 70: Melbourne through Fitzroy, Collingwood, Clifton Hill to Northcote.
Line 80: Melbourne through Northcote, Preston, South Preston, Morang, Yan Yean
to Whittlesea (telephones in parallel circuit).