Summary

Book titled 'Beauty Spots of Our City' printed by Osboldstone & Co, circa 1924. The book is illustrated throughout with reproductions of photographs by Charles G. Greenham.

Physical Description

Landscape format with a salmon coloured cover, contains an introduction to the city and views of Snowden Gardens, Princes Bridge, Botanical Gardens, Alexandra Avenue, Queen Victoria Gardens, Treasury Gardens, Fitzroy Gardens, Carlton Gardens, Flagstaff Gardens, and Royal Parade heavily planted.

Significance

This material, offered by a relative of Mr John Bowen, is part of a larger collection that provides interesting insights into the work of a Governor of Pentridge and other aspects of life in the prison. Some newspaper cuttings, also offered by the donor and stored in Supplementary File HT 4958, give further information about Mr Bowen's philosophy for the treatment of prisoners, events held at Pentridge including a competitive sports meeting, charity fetes, dedication of the new chapel, the manufacture of Christmas cards for sale to visitors to the gaol and through welfare workers, bridge afternoons, etc.

Mr Bowen joined the prison service at the age of 18 in 1889. He was superintendent (Governor) of Pentridge from 1928 to his retirement in early 1936. His wife Mrs Bowen was appointed a Magistrate of the Children's Court in 1936. He appears to have been an innovative Governor, and his forced retirement when he reached retirement age was regretted in the press.

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