Maps & Plans
The False Map
Discovery of gold and the heavy influx of immigrants and goods to Victoria brought intense rivalry between Melbourne on Port Phillip Bay and Geelong on Corio Bay, about which centre could attract the most people and trade. Melbourne interests published a misleading map, called 'The False Map', which elongated Port Phillip northwards, to place Melbourne much closer to the gold fields and the Murray River than Geelong.[1]
On the issue of the False Map, the Geelong wool broking and mercantile company,Strachan and company, issued a printed letter attacking the map, and containing a true statement of relative distances of Geelong and Melbourne to the gold fields and the Murray River. [2]
The True Map
Strachan and company of Geelong produced a true map in answer to the false map, to accompany their printed letter of rebuttal.[3]