Autograph of Sir John Madden, Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria

Madden, Sir John (1844 - 1918) Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria, autograph and seal on July 1901 'Lease of Grazing Area' comprising 632 acres in parish of Parrie Yalloak in the county of Ripon [between Ararat and Dunkeld] in favour of Sarah Ann Simmons for 21 years at the rate of £2/12/8. Madden, was an Australian judge and politician who was the fourth and longest-serving Chief Justice of Victoria, in office from 1893 until his death. He was acting governor on a number of occasions. One of the more interesting cases that Madden presided over was Bloomfield v Dunlop Tyre Co Ltd, decided 8 May 1902, and thought to be the first court case involving a car accident in Victoria. A demonstration vehicle owned by the Dunlop Tyre company was being driven towards the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds by the general manager & the advertising manager of the company. As they were passing Flemington Racecourse, they slowed but did not stop, and after startling some horses, collided with one, injuring its leg. The horse's owner sued Dunlop. The case came before Madden, who admitted that he didn't know anything about cars, and requested a demonstration outside the court building in William St. After viewing the car's performance, and the driving skill of the two managers, he promptly found in favour of the horse owner, awarding him â?¤250 in damages. Madden, however, quickly warmed to automobiles and became the first president of the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria in 1903