Information on the Hotham, later North Melbourne Council, 1859-1905.

The suburb of Hotham broke away from the City of Melbourne (CofM) in 1859. There was a great deal of unrest at the time over funding and suburbs felt they were not getting anything from CofM as all money was spent on the City.

Hotham was renamed North Melbourne in 1887, largely for financial reasons.

The small council always struggled as there was no major revenue earner apart from rates. It was always beset with councillors and ratepayers wanting to return to CofM.

In 1905 North Melbourne was absorbed back into the City of Melbourne.