GOLDING William Henry

Employer: David Barclay for about 15 years.
December 1875: Purchased the watchmaking business of Edward Prescott, 52 Murray Street, Hobart.
Michael McNamara was his first apprentice.

June 1876: Purchased a double-faced illuminated clock from Melbourne.

The Mercury (Hobart) 20 December 1876:
‘A Masterpiece in Clocks. – Mr Golding, watchmaker and jeweller, Murray Street, seems determined to give the people of Hobart Town some insight into the higher mysteries of clockmaking. He first gave us an illuminated clock to tell us the time after dark. Then he puzzled us with his mysterious clock, showing nothing but a large circle of glass with the hours and minute figures marked over the face of which moved the hands as if of their own accord, and without any apparent external or internal agency. At the back of the dial there is nothing – simply the dial of glass with the hands in front. But this wonder has now to give place to a piece of exquisite art. Think of a clock being its own pendulum! That is just what may now be seen in the window of Mr Golding. Affixed to the top of the window by two strong iron bars is a rest in which is placed a finely tempered pivot from which is suspended a beautifully finished series of rods of different metals compensating each other so as to keep time, to these again are attached the face and works of a clock, pretty much in the same way as the works of a watch are behind the dial-plate. In this instance, the dial-plate is some 12 or 14 inches in diameter, the seconds hand going the whole round as does the seconds hand of a stop watch, the works and dial-plate occupying the usual place of the ball of a pendulum all moving together to the beat of the seconds hand, from the pivot to the bottom of the dial-plate, being some five feet. We believe there is only one other such clock in the Australian colonies. It is the property of a watchmaker in Sydney, with whom Mr Golding served his apprenticeship, and the possession of one such clock has ever since been an object Mr Golding had in view. The visit of Mr Susman to Europe afforded the opportunity. Mr Golding described to that gentleman what he wanted, and Mr Susman had it manufactured to order in Paris, and brought it out with him. Mr Golding’s enterprise deserves encouragement. If he does not get it in a more substantial shape, we feel sure he will receive it in the number of visitors drawn to his window to look at and admire what is truly an exquisite piece of workmanship.’

November 1877: New store opened in Brisbane Street, Launceston (see George Oldmeadow Golding).

1878: Purchased David Barclay’s watchmaking and jewellery business.

October 1879: Manufactured and displayed a unique, mysterious clock made of clear glass with a gold-lettered dial and no visible mechanism.

Approx. January 1880: Moved from Murray Street to 96 Liverpool Street, Hobart.

1889: Manufactured a silver trowel decorated with an engraving of the Tasmanian turquoise berry and leaf for the ceremony to lay the foundation stone of the new Hobart Technical School.
1891: Exhibitor at the 1891 Tasmanian Exhibition, Albert Hall, Launceston.
Approx. 1890s: Employee, Ernest Thomas Newton (two years).

11 December 1893: Advertised relocating to 88 Liverpool Street due to ‘untoward circumstances.’
12 December 1893: Leo Bibby of The Hobart Jewellery Company advertising ‘taking over the old-established business of Mr W Golding.’
14 December 1893: William Golding’s creditors were requested to send details of their debts to the estate’s trustee.

April 1894: William resumed business with his son Arthur Frank Golding (W Golding and Son) at 56 Liverpool Street, Hobart. The new premises were small but in a prominent position, and William intended to spend more time at the bench repairing and manufacturing.

November 1897: W Golding & Son advertised opening new premises on the corner of Liverpool and Elizabeth Streets, Hobart.

April 1907: A picnic for employees was held on Golding and Sons steamboat the Edina to celebrate Mr F McCann completing his apprenticeship. Mr McCann was the first of many apprentices not to continue in the trade; he decided to follow a music career.

April 1911: William retired, and his sons Arthur and William continued in partnership as Golding and Sons.

July 1918: Arthur and William dissolved their partnership; Arthur continued as a sole trader.