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Charles Pickering was commissioned to photograph public works for the government architect James Barnet in 1870. The photographs themselves were intended for display at the London Exhibition of 1873; Pickering was previously engaged as the official photographer to the Metropolitan Intercolonial Exhibition of 1870. Photographers such as Charles Nettleton and the firm of Cox & Luckin were given similiar commissions in Melbourne as photography played an increasingly important role in the work of government departments. (The collection is on the State Libray of N.S.W. database. This database has a facility to view photographs in a high quality resolution which is really the best way to view the photographs - because of size constraints I will post a link to the high resolution version beneath each photograph).

Albert Victor Drury (1837-1907), a public servant, was born on 28 August 1837 in Brussels. Albert was educated in Brussels and reared in an atmosphere of close familiarity with people in high places. In 1855-61 he was a clerk in the War Office, London, and in 1862 went to Queensland to join his elder brother, Edward Robert. Albert began work in the Colonial Secretary's Office and in January 1867 was the fourth to be appointed clerk of the Executive Council of Queensland, a post he held for a record term of over thirty-seven years. He was a prominent figure in government circles and enjoyed the friendship of governors, premiers and many ministers of the Crown, and moved with them in the highest stratum of colonial society. The lonely bachelor, (Sir) William Cairns, thought so highly of him that after his return to England he sent £300, insisting that Drury should visit him there. By virtue of his experience, ability and tact he became the confidant of those he served from the fourth ministry in 1866-67 to the twenty-second in 1903-04. The Imperial Service Order was conferred on him in 1903. Drury was something of an unofficial historian and kept many scrapbooks of newspaper cuttings, photographs, invitations, menus and other memorabilia relating to royalty and its representatives, governments and politicians. This collection, now in the Oxley Memorial Library, is a valuable source of reference to government activities and personalities. Drury retired in 1904 and died at his home in Brisbane on 6 September 1907, survived by his wife Mary, née Pring, whom he had married on 28 March 1864, and by four of their six children. Source: adb.anu.edu.au/biography/drury-albert-victor-3444

Brisbane City Hall: a construction timeline 1864: First Town Hall in Queen Street. 1882: Building is considered inadequate. The early 1900s: Controversy over two sites for new Brisbane City Hall; Centenary Place and the current site. The early 1900s: The existing site is chosen, despite it being a swamp, because it is largely council-owned land and few resumptions are needed. 1909: Brisbane City Hall is designed but ratepayers balk at paying the 180,000 pounds needed to build it. 1917: Original foundation stone is laid by Governor Gould Adams to "build enthusiasm" for the project. 1919: The project is estimated to cost 480,000 pounds. 1920: Second foundation stone is put in place by the Prince of Wales. 1920: A workman drowns during construction. Foundations have to go down 54 feet before bedrock can be found. 1924: Construction begins. Source: www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/brisbane-cit...