The bicycle manufacturer Hall and Warden of 196 Swanston Street, Melbourne, built motor cycles powered by Minerva engines from about 1903 to 1906. At the end of that year the partners split up and Warden purchased the business.
W. J. Warden traded as Warden's at the original address from early 1907 and continued to advertise Eureka cycles, but there was no mention of motorcycles. By 1910 the doors had closed.
C.J. Hall opened shop 107 Queens Bridge Street, South Melbourne, and advertised "Queen" pattern bicycles and "Genuine BSA Bicycles". He was still trading in 1909, but does not appear to have delved into motorcycles. He too was gone by 1910.
At least one Eureka motorcycle has survived and is listed in the TAVCCA index by veterancarclub.org.au.
The Age Fri 30 Aug 1901
The writer met a friend, on Monday, who had made a pleasant trip to Ballarat on his "Eureka" motor bicycle of only 2 h.p. It looked a neat little turnout, and upon being asked if he did not feel a bit knocked-up (for he only started on Saturday morning) he said, "No," but possibly would have done so had he not been fitted with spring saddle pillar and handle-bar, which, he states, absolutely dispenses with vibration, and, fitted with Dunlop tyres, made the riding really comfortable.
Punch (Melbourne, Vic) Thu 21 Jan 1904
Entrants in the Dunlop Reliability Motor Contest from Sydney to Melbourne
S. E. Withers. Vic. (3½ h. p. Eureka)
Table Talk (Melbourne, Vic.) Thu 16 Feb 1905
MOTOR CYCLE BUSINESS SOLD.
The business of the well-known firm of Hall and Warden, importers and manufacturers of motors,
cycles and perambulators, of Melbourne, South Melbourne and Sydney, was offered for sale by auction
yesterday by Messrs. Baillieu Patterson and Sons in one line as a going concern in order to close
partnership accounts, together with the whole of the stock in trade, plant, tools, patterns, fittings,
furniture, book debts, leases and good will. Considerable interest was taken in the sale, which
attracted a representative attendance of those interested in the trade. The first offer was for £
5000, and this rapidly increased by £50 bids to £6000, at which figure Mr. W. J. Warden
became the purchaser.
The Age (Melbourne, Vic.) Fri 21 Dec 1906
Source: Trove NLA
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