Guide to the Papers of Donald Cleland
MS 9600
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Donald Cleland
- Title
- Papers of Donald Cleland
- Date Range
- ca. 1960-1990
- Collection Number
- MS 9600
- Extent
- 5.55 metres (37 boxes)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- National Library of Australia
Introduction
Scope and Contents
Sir Donald Cleland was meticulous in keeping his papers in order. However, he seems to have been very selective in what he kept. Dame Rachel, who transferred the papers to the Library, said he destroyed a good deal of material despite her protests. He did arrange and make into files, those papers which meant much to him, which illustrated his career. He was clearly conscious of history in the making during his service in World War II. Although not a good diary-keeper, he created documents after the event, when time permitted, sometimes illustrating them with photographs he took himself.
By the time he went to New Guinea for service with the Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU), he was keeping a more in-depth diary, but still episodic, not daily. In ANGAU too, he kept copies of a lot of the official correspondence between ANGAU and the Directorate of Research and Civil Affairs (DORCA) and arranged them in an official bureaucratic manner, in numbered or named files with every folio numbered. These files are also available in the National Archives of Australia (A518) and the Australian War Memorial (AWM54), though not necessarily in the same named files or order.
Very little has survived concerning his political activities in Perth, either before or after the War, or from his period as Director of the Liberal Party Secretariat - election leaflets, a few notes from speeches, one or two reports. Even the Liberal Party archives, also housed in the National Library (MS 5000), has little on this period, and it is difficult to find. It is also probable that the Liberal Party records were not assigned as archives until many years after their creation, with many earlier papers consequently going astray.
The most important period in Sir Donald’s life being the Administrator of Papua and New Guinea, one might expect a full range of papers. One of his officers once remarked that he was surprised to learn that there were any papers. Sir Donald was such an efficient Administrator, his method was to write in red ink in the margins of incoming mail, how he wished the reply to be framed. He then sent it off to the action officer, whoever it might be. This was in the days before photocopying. The consequent correspondence would then be filed within the appropriate department. The National Archives of Papua New Guinea is the custodian of government archives and is quite rich in those of this period. A Guide [to the] Records of the Department of the Administrator, was published in 1991 by the National Archives and Public Records Services of Papua New Guinea, and is available from that institution.
What Sir Donald did keep was his correspondence with his Minister, Sir Paul Hasluck. He regarded it as personal and it is beautifully arranged in files and numbered folios. Sir Paul kept his end of the correspondence, but regarded it as official, and has deposited it in the National Archives of Australia (M333). This correspondence has therefore been available to the public for some years. Each pursued the same arrangement - each has the other’s original and has interfiled chronologically his only carbon copy reply. Sir Donald did keep selected copies of a small amount of official correspondence, mainly concerning matters of particular interest to him, but there is comparatively little of this. Otherwise, there are complete files of his speeches, programs of events and VIP visits, and official typed up appointment diaries. Together, the speeches, programs and diaries can date accurately, any important event that occurred over the period, but very little about it.
Apart from his official papers, there are papers relating to his other activities. After his retirement, all the papers are personal including his unfinished memoirs, of which there are two drafts. While the ANGAU section is reasonably complete if unpolished, the part dealing with his Administration is little more than chapter headings and summaries.
Conditions Governing Access
Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn716629).
Conditions Governing Use
Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.
Preferred Citation
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Donald Cleland, National Library of Australia, MS 9600, [box number and series and/or file number]'.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The papers of Sir Donald Cleland were donated to the Library by Dame Rachel Cleland in 2002.
Related Materials
MS 9601, papers of Dame Rachel Cleland.
Arrangement
Order has been imposed on the collection by Nancy Lutton, who mediated in the acquisition of the papers of Sir Donald and Dame Rachel Cleland by the Library. The papers have been arranged in 25 series, taking into account chronological order and subject matters.
Biographical Note
Sir Donald Cleland was born on 28 June 1901, in Coolgardie, Western Australia, the eldest son of Elphinstone Davenport Cleland, mining engineer, and his second wife, Anne Emily, née Mackinnon. He was educated at Guildford Grammar School in Perth. In 1919 he wished to pursue a career in the Army, but was turned down because of a varicose vein at a time when the Army was winding down following World War I. He therefore chose to be a lawyer, and in due course was admitted to the Bar, becoming a partner with the firm Villeneuve Smith and Keall.
Cleland’s outside interests were several. He remained interested in the military as a member of the Militia and military reserve. He was a leader in the Toc H movement in Perth for many years. He became interested in politics and joined the National Party of Western Australia. During the 1930s he stood for election to the Western Australian Legislative Assembly three times, in 1933 and 1936 for the seat of Claremont, and in 1939 for the seat of Perth, but to no avail in each case. He was also the Chairman of the Executive of the National Party from 1935-1939. He also delivered a number of lectures on political philosophy over ABC radio from 1937-1939.
In 1928, Cleland married Rachel Evans (1906-2002), later Dame Rachel Cleland (see MS 9601). They had two sons, Robert (born 1931) and Evan (1935).
When World War II broke out in 1939, Cleland was one of the first recruits from WA as his army identity number WX40 indicates. By the end of the year he had been appointed as Staff Captain to the Commander of the Royal Artillery, (later Sir) Edmund Herring, while the 6th Division was being established by Sir Thomas Blamey. He proceeded overseas with the first convoy in January 1940 and spent most of the following two years in Palestine with the 1st Australian Corps. He was chosen to attend the first staff officers’ course in Haifa. He carried out a number of reconnaissance trips to North Africa and was actively involved in the lead up to the Greek Campaign through reconnaissance, and during the retreat from overwhelming German forces. He was also involved in the reconnaissance and supply side of the army’s advance in Syria. By this time he had been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
Following the Japanese invasion in 1941, early in 1942 he was transferred with a small party of officers to Java where they endeavoured to set up headquarters, but the Japanese thrust was too quick and the party had to evacuate speedily. Cleland returned to Australia where the army was undergoing a complete re-organisation and was appointed Deputy Adjutant and Quartermaster General (DA&QMG) to the Third Australian Corps stationed in Western Australia, under Major General Henry Gordon Bennett. During this time he was promoted to Brigadier.
In January 1943 Cleland was appointed by General Blamey to a newly created position in New Guinea, that of DA&QMG to Major General Morris, head of the Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU) in Port Moresby. He was also assigned to be the Chairman of the Production Control Board (PCB) being established to oversee the return of planters to Papua and New Guinea as the Japanese were driven back, and to encourage increase in production of essential plantation produce, mainly rubber and copra. Over the next two years he was virtually assistant administrator in New Guinea, and was much involved in the politics of the army and the government through the Directorate of Research and Civil Affairs (DORCA). His wartime service earned him both an MBE and a CBE as well as receiving a ‘mention in despatches’ twice.
When the senior partner in his law firm died early in 1945, Cleland resigned from the army and endeavoured to re-establish himself in law. However, the call of politics was strong. Robert Menzies had established the Liberal Party in 1944, to replace and unite the scattered conservative parties around Australia, including the National Party of WA. Cleland was an enthusiastic early member and office bearer, and when the Prime Minister John Curtin died in July 1945, Cleland decided to stand for his seat of Fremantle, though it had a strong Labor majority. He was unsuccessful, as he was also with an application to become Administrator of the Territory of Papua and New Guinea. However, the Liberal Party head hunted him to become its first Director of the Secretariat, and accepting this, the family moved to Sydney.
Cleland’s six years as director included the organisation of two election campaigns, with success in 1949, when the Liberal Party won the Federal election. Politics had now lost its appeal and Cleland realised that administration was more his bent. Accordingly, when the new government decided to appoint an Assistant Administrator to the Administrator, Jack Murray in the Territory of Papua and New Guinea, Cleland’s qualifications, especially his experience in ANGAU, could not be overlooked.
Cleland arrived in Port Moresby in September 1951. Early in 1952, Paul Hasluck, the Minister for Territories, sacked the Administrator, Jack Murray amidst some controversy. Cleland became Acting Administrator and then confirmed as Administrator in February 1953. For the next ten years, Cleland and Hasluck had a close relationship as policies were implemented to lead the Territory gradually to full independence, especially in the training of teachers, doctors, nurses and others and the establishment of a university. Problems of contacting all peoples in the fractured lands and tribes of the Territory, land tenure, roads and communications and the introduction of law courts, all had to be resolved. Cleland was created KB in 1961. Hasluck left the Territories portfolio in 1963 to be replaced by Charles Barnes. Cleland retired in January 1967. As he had not lived in Western Australia since 1939, and now regarded Papua New Guinea as his home, he and Lady Cleland decided to build a house in Port Moresby and retire there.
After a world tour in 1967, Cleland returned to Port Moresby to take up several directorships. The South Pacific Games were held in 1969 and Cleland headed the Finance Committee. His skills as a lawyer were again called upon when he was asked to write the constitution for an independent Anglican Church. He became Pro-Chancellor of the University of Papua New Guinea for a time. He and Lady Cleland participated in many activities in Port Moresby, including the garden competition, which they won several times and the Waigani Seminars.
On 27 August 1975, just prior to the official ceremonies marking the granting of Independence to Papua New Guinea, Cleland died. He was given a State Funeral and is buried in the Bomana Cemetery (civilian) in Port Moresby, the only Administrator of Papua New Guinea, except for the Lieutenant-Governor of Papua, Sir Hubert Murray, to be buried in New Guinea.
Item Descriptions
Series 1. Personal and pre-world War II, 1901-1955
Contains all records dated prior to World War II, including various certificates and official papers, personal mementos and family matters, Toc H, the Economic Studies Club, National Party politics, and ABC broadcasts.
Certificates: birth, baptism, confirmation and marriage, 1901-1928 (latter photocopies only) (File 1) - Box 1
Education certificates: leaving, matriculation, school and cadet references, 1918-1920 (File 2) - Box 1
Elphinstone Davenport Cleland (Cleland’s father): probate jurisdiction, grant of burial Karrakatta Cemetery, 1928. Also letter to Donald Cleland from EDC on the occasion of Donald Cleland’s 18th birthday, 28 June 1919, and a notebook, 1907. See also MS 9601/Series 28, Cleland and Evans family histories (1888-1928) (File 3) - Box 1
Donald Cleland: Commonplace book commenced 28 June 1919. Inscribed by his brothers Bill and Lennox on the occasion of his 18th birthday (1919-c.1927) (File 4) - Box 1
Practice and partnership papers: Villeneuve Smith Keall, admission to the Bar, Commissioner for taking affidavits in Supreme Court of WA (1920-1946) (File 5) - Box 1
A Toc H pilgrimage: articles and notes (handwritten), 1-27 November 1926. Invitation to the Distinguished Strangers Gallery, House of Commons, 10 February 1927. Also booklet The Theme of the Vigil on the Occasion of the World Chain of Light and the Fortieth Birthday of TOC H, December 1955 (1926-1955) (File 6) - Box 1
Royal visit to Western Australia of the Duke and Duchess of York, program 18-23 May 1927 (Donald Cleland was an Honorary Aide) (File 8) - Box 1
Western Australian secession issue, 1930. Address by D. M. Cleland to the Business Women’s luncheon at Women’s Service Guild, 30 August 1930 (File 10) - Box 2
Series 2. World War II, 1937-1947
Contains war service records, brief diaries, handwritten accounts, some illustrated, notes on Palestine, Syria and Netherlands East Indies, notebooks from Staff Officer Training College, Haifa.
Handwritten account [Perth to Palestine], 17 October 1939-16 March 1940, including photographs, negatives and some ephemera (File 4) - Box 3
Haifa Staff College. Roneoed course papers and handwritten map enlargement of portion of Palestine, (1940) (File 5) - Box 3
Field notebook (includes printed field service pocket book 1939) Haifa Staff College, (1940) (File 6) - Box 3
Palestine - notes on the country and the present situation (roneoed, 1937). Motor map, (May 1941) (File 7) - Box 3
Greece - ‘Grecian Days’ 6 March to 4 May 1941, 45 pages handwritten two months after evacuation. Typed war diary, roneoed information sheets, map of Athens and surrounds, and ephemera [For photographs see Series 2/File 4], (1941) (File 9) - Box 3
Syria - typed war diary, letters re movements, poster, maps of Palestine and Syria, roneoed information sheets, newspaper clippings, (1941) (File 10) - Box 4
Series 3. Letters from Rachel Cleland to Donald Cleland during World War II,1939-1944
Letters written nearly every week from 1939 to 1941 and each usually six pages long, some much longer. These contain detailed accounts of the life of a war time wife as well as lengthy discussions on world matters and the progress of the war. They are also love letters. Letters during 1942 are fewer and more irregular, and apart from two only in 1944, then peter out. The letters received by Cleland in New Guinea while in ANGAU (1943-1945) have not survived. He probably destroyed them, keeping only two of particular sentiment. Apparently, soldiers in New Guinea were ordered to destroy letters and to not keep diaries in New Guinea if they were in forward fighting areas. Cleland was not, but may have been setting an example for his juniors. (See also MS 9601/Series 2 Dame Rachel Cleland Papers).
Letters to Adelaide: Letters from Wilson Street, Claremont, 14 March 1942-4 April 1942 (File 11) - Box 5
Letters to ANGAU, Port Moresby, 28 March 1944-7 April 1944 (File 13) - Box 5
Two full letters and two undated letters missing first pages, which seem to reply to his letter of 17 May 1943, but may never have been sent. Other letters for this series were probably destroyed on receipt and after reading in New Guinea because of Army orders
Series 4. Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU), 1943-1945
Files, mainly put together by Cleland himself, of copies of official correspondence (marked AQ), covering his work at ANGAU, a military administrative unit which was established in Port Moresby to maintain the civil administration’s functions such as preserving and controlling native labour and keeping law and order. Added to these are some photographs taken by him (not good quality), some private correspondence and honours and awards received. The numbers with letter prefix in brackets were assigned by Cleland and these files also mostly have folio numbers assigned.
United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) - correspondence, August November 1944 (AQ20) (File 10) - Box 7
UNRRA in relation to the Territories of Papua and New Guinea, August 1944 (AQ20/U) (File 11) - Box 7
Educational policy - ANGAU, May-July 1944. Includes reports from Camilla Wedgwood, Cecil Abel and Frank Boisen (AQ50) (File 15) - Box 7
J. V. Barry - Report of the Commission of Enquiry into the circumstances relating to the suspension of the Civil Administration of the Territory of Papua in February 1942. (iii, 68p) plus correspondence, August 1944 (11ff) (DCM2) (File 16) - Box 7
‘An appreciation on the Law in the Territory of Papua and the Territory of New Guinea’ by Brigadier D. M. Cleland and Captain J. Cromie, 17 May 1943 (roneoed) (File 18) - Box 7
Melbourne diary (Donald Cleland) - Personal diary on visit to LHQ etc., 9-27 July 1944. Typed 20pp. (File 19) - Box 8
Includes index, 3pp.
Kavieng and New Hanover. February 1944 – Administrative Directive No 1. Maintenance of the health of the native., 29 December 1943 (File 20) - Box 8
Correspondence between Donald Cleland and Reverend Edmund New, September 1944 concerning mission and post-war native policy. Includes information supplied by New, (1927-1951) (File 22) - Box 8
Honours and awards for military service: Mentions in Despatches 1941 and 1944, MBE 1942 and CBE 1945. Recommendation from US Navy for an award for co-operation in Western Australia, 1944. Recommendation as Honorary ADC to Governor General 1945. Release from Australian Military Forces, 1945 (File 23) - Box 8
Series 5. Australian New Guinea Production Control Board (PCB), 1942-1948
Files marked PCB concerning the genesis of the Production Control Board and including annual reports. Includes a later file concerning the Board’s incorporation with the Provisional Administration.
Report on the formation of Australian New Guinea Production Control Board, submitted by D. M. Cleland and J. R. Halligan, 21 April 1943. Roneoed, 12pp plus appendices (PCB3) (File 3) - Box 9
ANG Production Control Board. First Annual Report Year ending 30 June 1944. Signed by Chairman Donald Cleland. Roneoed, 14pp plus appendices (PCB4) (File 4) - Box 9
ANG Production Control Board. Report of the Chairman (Brigadier Cleland MBE) on the activities of the Board for the period, 1 July 1944-28 February 1945 (PCB6) (File 6) - Box 9
Series 6. Post-war politics, 1945-1951
Before World War II Cleland had been active in conservative politics. He was president (1936-1938) of the National Party of Western Australia and thrice stood unsuccessfully for the Legislative Assembly (1933, 1936 and 1939). On his return to Perth in mid-1945, he was elected vice-president of the State branch of the Liberal Party. Following the death of John Curtin in July 1945 Cleland contested the by-election for the seat of Fremantle in the House of Representatives but was unsuccessful. In October 1945 he was appointed Director of the Federal Secretariat of the Liberal Party, and in that position organized the effective 1949 campaign.
This series includes papers relating to post-war politics including the foundations of the Liberal Party of Australia, the Fremantle by-election, Cleland’s appointment as Director of the Federal Secretariat of the Liberal party (and later resignation), miscellaneous leaflets, reports and some personal letters.
Fremantle by-election, 18 August 1945. Draft letter to each elector. Leaflet ‘Vote Cleland’, booklet for helpers, brochures, speeches, and post campaign report (File 2) - Box 10
Brochure – The Liberal Party of Australia: Souvenir Program Inaugural Federal Council Meeting. Sydney, August 28, 29, 30 and 31, 1945. [Cleland was a delegate from Western Australia] (File 3) - Box 10
Appointment as Director of Federal Secretariat of Liberal Party of Australia, 1945 (File 4) - Box 10
Liberal Party. Report and recommendations by Donald Cleland and Eric White, November 1945 (File 5) - Box 10
BBC Christmas Broadcast from Sydney for the ‘Good Neighbour’ program which preceded the King’s Christmas Broadcast. Donald Cleland spoke on behalf of Australia. File includes a number of letters of appreciation and newspaper reports, 1949 (File 8) - Box 10
Director Federal Secretariat Liberal Party of Australia. Leaflet ‘The Communist Party Dissolution Bill 1950 and the onus of proof: an explanation’, 1950 (File 9) - Box 10
Series 7. Territory of Papua and New Guinea. Assistant Administrator and Administrator applications and appointment, 1941-1953
Includes some personal correspondence and Cleland’s first application for the position of Administrator in 1945. The files give details of his appointment as Assistant Administrator in 1951, the retirement of Administrator J. K. Murray, and his own subsequent appointment.
Series 8. Territory of Papua and New Guinea. Administrator: Monthly reports and Official Diaries, 1954-1966
The monthly reports were written by Cleland, the Assistant Administrator in 1951-1954, and produced in roneoed form. The official diaries began in 1954 and were loose leaf pages typed up daily by the Official Secretary, showing the Administrator’s engagements for the day. They were later bound into yearly volumes: (Monthly reports were duplicated and circulated to Departments. Official diaries were typed up daily by Official Secretary and bound in heavy covers).
Series 9. Administrator handwritten diaries, 1951-1966
Mostly pocket diaries with very scant and spasmodic entries.
Series 10. Correspondence with the Minister for Territories, P. M. Hasluck, 1951-1966
See above in notes on scope and arrangements. In an added file is correspondence with the Minister about Government House Staff. The following files had been arranged and folios numbered by Sir Donald Cleland. For summary see Series 23/File 5 below.
Series 11. General correspondence and other documents, 1951-1966
The first three files were arranged and numbered by Cleland. The last three files are miscellaneous official documents, which seemed to fall most appropriately into this series. (Files 1-3 arranged and folios numbered by Donald Cleland)
Miscellaneous copies of documents: Appointment of cadet patrol officers 1953; Position of Official Members of a Territorial Legislative Council 1954; Land policy in P NG 1954; Goilala Incident (2 letters) 1957; Navuneram affair (2 letters) 1959; co-operation with Netherlands New Guinea political advancement of indigenous people, 1962 (File 4) - Box 16
Series 12. Addresses, speeches and broadcasts, 1951-1966
These are typescript documents falling into this category, and which were arranged and numbered in chronological order by Cleland. Most were probably written by Cleland himself, but some have clearly been written for him, particularly when performing the honours at the opening of an institution with which he was unfamiliar. There are certain idealistic themes which appear several times, indeed had appeared earlier in his ABC broadcasts 1937-1939 (Series 1), such as his ‘Seven pillars of public service’ suggested by John Ruskin’s ‘Seven pillars of architecture’. (Files arranged and folios numbered by Donald Cleland).
Series 13. Personal, 1951-1967
Mostly letters of congratulations upon receiving various honours. There is very little private correspondence. Lady Cleland was a prolific correspondent, and much of her inward mail is addressed to them both (See MS 9601/Series 6 and 16).
Letters of congratulation on appointment as Administrator, February and March 1953 (File 1) - Box 18
Personal letters mainly of appreciation received and copies of some sent. Of sentimental or historical value, and includes some skits and poems, 1942-1972 (File 2) - Box 18
Invitation to join The Grand Priory in the British Realm of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem and correspondence thereafter. Includes copy of Royal Charter and Statutes of the Order, 1955 (File 4) - Box 18
Certificate and letters received concerning the award of Knight Bachelor. Includes citation and invitation to join the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor, 1961-1962 (File 5) - Box 18
Letters of congratulation on award of Knighthood received from members of the family, 1961 (File 6) - Box 18
Letters of congratulation on award of Knighthood arranged and folios numbered by Sir Donald Cleland, 10 June-24 July 1961. 9 files, ff 1-672 (File 7-15) - Box 18, 19
Further letters of congratulation on award of Knighthood received after 24 July 1961. 6 ff, 1961 (See also MS9601/Series 6/File 8) (File 16) - Box 19
Series 14. Programs (1): Royal Visit to PNG (Duke of Edinburgh), 1956
Includes rough notes of arrangements, printed programs and newspaper clippings.
Series 15. Programs (2): Visits by VIPs, 1951-1966
The VIPs include several Governors General, Administrators of the Commonwealth, Chief Scout of the Commonwealth, Prime Minister of Australia, Ministers for Territories, Federal Treasurer and several other Ministers, United Nations Visiting Mission, Ambassador for the Netherlands, and others.
Sir John Northcott, Administrator of the Commonwealth of Australia. Program 5-13 October 1951. Opening of Legislative Council, 26 November 1951, including speeches by Sir John Northcott, J. K. Murray,Administrator, and Paul Hasluck, Minister, 1951 (File 1) - Box 20
Sir William Slim, Governor-General. Program 18-24 October 1953. Includes brochures for services at War Cemeteries, Port Moresby, 19 October, Lae, 21 October, and Rabaul, 23 October, 1953 (File 2) - Box 20
Paul Hasluck, Minister for Territories. Visit 16-27 April 1952. Official Opening Government Printing Office, 18 July 1953. Official Opening Daru Hospital, 12 October 1963, including general information, 1952-1963 (File 3) - Box 20
Lord Rowallan, Chief Scout of the British Commonwealth and Empire. Itinerary 17-28, January 1956 (File 5) - Box 20
Viscount Dunrossil, Governor-General. Programs for visit 12-18 October 1960, and opening of Legislative Council, 17 October 1960 (File 6) - Box 21
Sir Dallas Brooks, Administrator of the Commonwealth of Australia. Programs for visit 8-12 April 1961, and opening of Legislative Council, 10 April 1961, including commemorative stamps, 1961 (File 7) - Box 21
C. E. Barnes, Minister for Territories. Opening Angau Memorial Hospital, Lae, 17 April 1964 and the first stage of the Papuan Medical College, 18 April 1964 (File 9) - Box 21
Viscount de L’Isle, Governor-General, 18 May-9 June, 1964. Includes inauguration of session of House of Assembly, 8 June 1964, and booklet The Members of the House of Assembly 1964, and background notes (File 10) - Box 21
R. G. Menzies, Prime Minister, 24-28 April, 1957 Lady Slim, 22 July-3 August, 1957 Sir Arthur Fadden, Treasurer, 26 October-3 November 1957 C. Helders, Dr. J. van Baal and B. Kruijger, Netherlands New Guinea, 6-8 November 1957 Dr P. J. Plateel, Governor, Netherlands New Guinea, 27 August -3 September 1958. Harold Holt, Minister for Labour and Phillip McBride, Minister for Defence, 20-29 June 1958 A. H. J. Lovink, Ambassador for the Netherlands, 2-8 October 1958 Earl Mountbatten of Burma 23-28 February 1965 Sir George Taylor, official opening of the Lae Herbarium, 12 April 1965 Lord Casey, Governor General, 10-23 May 1966 Also presentation of Queen’s and Regimental colours to 2 Battalion Pacific Islands Regiment, 18 May 1966 (File 11) - Box 21
Series 16. Programs (3): Openings and presentations performed by the Administrator, 1953-1965
Openings include the Port Moresby Coronation Celebrations, hospitals, industrial installations, clubs, memorials, parks, colleges, conferences and highland agricultural shows. Presentations include hand illustrations and mementos, and songs of welcome arising out of official visits to districts.
Port Moresby Coronation Celebrations, 31 May-6 June 1953. Program, menu and proceedings, Territorial Dinner, and ‘Shall we be loyal’ address given by Bishop Andre Sorin. Also includes brochures of coronation celebrations from Canberra and Brisbane and the Order of Divine Service recommended in the Church of England (File 1) - Box 21
Events, 1954-1959 (File 2) - Box 21
Frangipani fair (in aid of Girl Guides), 30 October 1954; St Marie Therese Native Maternity Hospital, Koki. Celebrating the birth of the 1,000th baby, 1950-1955; Official opening, Memorial Bible House, 15 October 1955; Shell installation, Rabaul, 21 October 1956; Rotary Club of Port Moresby, Presentation of Charter, 4 December 1957; Rotary Club of Port Moresby. Boys’ and Girls’ Week, 17-23 December 1958; International Youth Art Exhibition, 15-17 October 1959; Official Opening New Monier Factory, 6 November 1959; Official Unveiling of Memorial to Native Carriers of the Kokoda Trail, 2 November 1959
Events, 1960-1965 (File 3) - Box 22
Konedobu Club. Official opening of new club building, 17 June 1960; Apprenticeship prize giving, 28 March 1962; Official opening J. B. McAdam Park, Wau, 25 May 1963; Enthronement David Hand, Bishop of New Guinea, 29 June 1963; W. D. & H. O. Wills establishment in Territory, 30 July 1963; Dedication of the Church of St Francis of Assisi, Koke, 13 June 1964; Papuan Medical College - First graduation ceremony, 3 February 1965; Sixth South Pacific Conference, Lae, July 1965; Mount Hagen Show, 21-22 August 1965, including community service of praise and thanksgiving; Balob Teachers College, 27 November 1965
Presentations (File 4) - Box 22
Hand drawn map of Sepik District showing places visited on tour, 9-15 October 1954; Hand illustrated invitation from the pupils and staff of the Idubada Central School to a concert, 10 December 1956; Hand illustrated memento of visit to Education Centre Dregerhafen, 12 December 1956; Song on the occasion of visit to Kwato, February 18, 1959; Hand illustrated memento from children of Kiriwina on occasion of visit, n.d.; Hand designed welcome from the children of Nimowa on the occasion of visit, n.d.
Series 17. Pacific Islands Regiment - Honorary Colonel, 1953-1965
Briefs for the Administrator for various events carried out by the Pacific Islands Regiment, such as parades and Trooping the Colour.
Series 18. Programs (4): Overseas events attended by the Administrator, 1954-1963
Including royal visits to Australia, visit to Netherlands New Guinea, visit to Malaysia, visit to Perth for the British Empire and Commonwealth Games.
Royal visit of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh to Australia, February 1954. Includes programs to events and invitations to functions (File 1) - Box 23
Royal visit of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother to Australia, 14-18 February and 25-27 February, 1958. Includes Presentation of Queen Elizabeth II banner to Royal Military College, Duntroon, 26 February 1958 (File 2) - Box 23
Program of visit to Netherlands New Guinea, 2-7 September 1959. Spiral bound and includes maps (File 3) - Box 23
Royal visit of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh to Australia, March 1963. Includes programs to events, invitations to functions, and arrangements for Territory representatives, 1963-65 (File 4) - Box 23
Visit to Malaysia, October 1962. Includes briefings from PIR, letters of introduction from Minister for Territories, information leaflets, general program, 16-19 October 1962, program Brigade Week, Brigade of Gurkhas, 22-25 October 1962 and photograph (File 5) - Box 23
Events overseas, 1956-1963 (File 6) - Box 23
Hollandia, 2-4 March 1956. Menus only. Seventh British Empire and Commonwealth Games, Perth, opening ceremony, 22 November 1962. Ceremonial Parade Presentation of Queen’s and regimental Colours to 1 Battalion Royal Western Australia Regiment, 25 November 1962. Australian Territories’ Delegations in Canberra, 9-14 March 1963.
Series 19. Administrator’s other interests, 1952-1966
Including Boy Scouts Association, Returned Services League, Council of Social Service, Copra Marketing Board, New Guinea Society, ANGAU Association, International Commission of Jurists
Returned Sailors’ Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Imperial League of Australia. Certificate of Life Membership of Port Moresby Sub-Branch, 6 October 1966 (File 2) - Box 24
Council of Social Service. Submissions to Public Service Arbitrator concerning the salaries of local officers, 1964-1966. Matthews’ enquiry (2 files) (File 4 a_b) - Box 24
Council of Social Service. Matters concerning race relations and welfare of women and girls, 1960-1965 (File 6) - Box 24
Papua New Guinea Copra Marketing Board. Ordinance No 70 of 1952. Also Chairman’s Minute, 18 June 1963, noting the 20th Anniversary of the formation of the Australian New Guinea Production Control Board. The first meeting was held on 16 June 1943 with Brigadier D. M. Cleland as Chairman (File 7) - Box 25
Series 20. Miscellaneous publications, 1883-1975
Publications found with the papers of Sir Donald Cleland, including a number of official publications, such as the Papua and New Guinea Act and Standing Instructions for General Field Administration, a number of United Nations reports on the Territory of New Guinea, and miscellaneous pamphlets and papers of interest.
Historic Port Moresby. Clippings from The Illustrated London News and from Post-Courier of various dates, 1883-1975 (File 1) - Box 25
The Provisional Administration of the Territory of Papua-New Guinea: its policy and its problems, being the John Murtagh Macrossan Memorial Lectures delivered by J. K. Murray, 22 and 24 April 1947 (Two copies: one a presentation copy inscribed to Brigadier D. M. Cleland by the author) (File 2) - Box 25
Sir John Burton Cleland, (1878-1971- 1st cousin to Sir Donald Cleland) Five published medical and anthropological papers, 1944-1950 (File 3) - Box 25
Report to the General Assembly of the United Nations on the Administration of the Territory of New Guinea. (a) 1948-1949 (b) 1949-1950 (c) 1951-1952 (File 4) - Box 25
Inauguration of the Legislative Council of the Territory of Papua and New Guinea. Compiled and prepared by E. J. Hallstrom, Port Moresby, 26 November 1951 [Printed hard cover book with photos] (File 6) - Box 26
Imperial War Graves Commission. Thirty-Fourth Annual Report 1 April 1952 to 31 March 1953 (File 7) - Box 26
Alan Nicholls’ articles on Papua and New Guinea and Dutch New Guinea published in The Age, August-September 1956 (clippings) (File 8) - Box 26
Australian Institute of Political Science, 24th Summer School, Canberra, 25-27 January, 1958. ‘Present tasks and policies’ by Paul Hasluck in 3parts (roneoed) (File 9) - Box 26
Territory of Papua and New Guinea. Dept. of the Public Service Commissioner. Public Service Handbook, for use in orientation and other general purposes. Port Moresby, Government Printer, 1958 (File 10) - Box 26
Progress of a people. Prepared under the authority of the Minister for Territories on the occasion of the opening of the Legislative Council for Papua and New Guinea on, 10 April 1951 (File 13) - Box 27
Territory of Papua and New Guinea. Department of Native Affairs. Departmental Standing Instructions. General Field Administration, Vol 1. Port Moresby, Government Printer, 1963 (File 14) - Box 27
Radio Kerema VL8BK. Brochure printed by the Department of Information and Extension Services on the occasion of the opening of the station. Includes speech by the Governor General (Viscount de L’Isle?) who was not present, (n.d.) (File 16) - Box 27
Co-operation em i wanem samting? Brochure published by the Department of Information and Extension services. 4 pages, Pidgin only. (File 17) - Box 27
The Kibi: Cooperative Journal – PNG, No 2, December 1962, Kumul: Quarterly Police News, June 1966 Courier-Mail (Qld), Sat 10 June 1965. ‘No independence day hint for NG’. (Article on Sir Donald Cleland) Sydney Morning Herald, June 10, 1961. (14 knights named by Queen); June 8, 1964. Article on House Assembly. July 18, 1966. ‘Answer in the hands of people’ The Age, June 10, 1961. (13 new knights) The Industrial Review, TPNG Dept of Labour, Vol 1 No 1, August 1963 Papers on Education, TPNG Dept. of Education, No 2, ‘Vunamami: an experiment in rural education in a native village community’, October 1954 (File 18) - Box 27
Our News, Vol 5 No 3, 15 March 1963; Vol 5 No 5, 28 June 1963; Vol 5 No 9, 15 September 1963; Vol 5 No 14, 29 November 1963; and Vol 6 No 12, 15 July 1964; Vol 8 Nos 8, 9, 10, 13 and 16, 1966 (File 19) - Box 27
South Pacific Post, 20 February 1953; 13 June 1961; 20 October 1961; 31 October 1961; 24 April 1962; 7 June 1963; 23 August 1963; 5 June 1964; 9 June 1964; 28 August 1964; 22 September 1964; 3 March 1965; 12 March 1965; 10 September 1965; 25 April 1966; 29 April 1966; 13 June 1966; 22 July 1966; 16 September 1966; 1 December 1973 (File 20a_d) - Box 28
Series 21. Retirement and farewell, 1966-1967
Farewell visits paid to various parts of the Territory, programs and mementos, and House of Assembly Debates, farewell speeches and Sir Donald’s final address.
Series 22. Retirement activities, 1967-1974
Notes of overseas tour 1967, directorships, constitutional development, Waigani seminar paper, University Pro-Chancellor, Chancellor Anglican Church of PNG, Return to Kokoda ceremony, 70th Birthday celebrations.
Appointment diary, 1967. Includes brief notes of overseas tour, January-October 1967 (File 1) - Box 29
Directorships. Correspondence concerning the appointment of Sir Donald Cleland to the Boards of various companies, 1967-1974 (File 4) - Box 30
Return to Kokoda, 3-6 November 1967. Program plus order of ceremony at unveiling and dedication of the Papua and New Guinean Servicemen, Police and Carriers’ Memorial, 3 November 1967 (File 5) - Box 30
Constitutional Development. Includes reports on Select Committees, speeches, and correspondence from Sir Donald Cleland to the Administrator (D. O. Hay) and to the South Pacific Post, 1967-1970 (File 6) - Box 30
Waigani Seminar, 1968. Includes notes for research of paper by Sir Donald Cleland ‘An Administrator reflects’, multiple copies of the paper (as printed in The Journal of the Papua and New Guinea Society) and papers by J. K. Murray ‘In retrospect 1945-1952’, Peter Ryan, ‘The Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit’ and Introductory speech to the Seminar by Dr J. T. Gunther, Vice Chancellor of the University of Papua New Guinea. Also some press cuttings (File 7) - Box 30
Series 23. Research and writing memoirs, 1942-1972
Letters, papers and publications collected, notes made from sources, drafts of chapters, first handwritten draft of ‘New Guinea Days, original typed copy including photos [Folders 18 and 19 -not for public access], and photocopy of the latter [for public use]
Chronological table, 9 September 1951-8 January 1967 (exercise book, hand written) (File 2) - Box 31
Notes for proposed book ‘New Guinea Days’. (Noted as written in WA during holidays in October 1969) (File 4) - Box 31
Summary of correspondence between self-minister-secretary, 18 December 1951-21 February 1966; and general letters and other documents, September 1951-9 Jan 1967. (ledger book, handwritten) (See also Series MS 9600/Series 10 and Series 11) (File 5) - Box 31
Draft of chapters, chronological table as possible appendix, letters from Professor Ken Inglis and Professor Charles Rowley regarding book, and some lists of archives held at the National Archives of PNG, 1970-1972 (File 6) - Box 31
ANGAU history. Roneoed letter c.1964 from Donald Cleland to former ANGAU personnel announcing intention to write history after retirement. Replies 1965-1967. 81 ff. (Donald Cleland), c.1964-1967 (File 7) - Box 31
Papers from A. Sherwin - Diary of Madang evacuation. January 1942. (Referred to in folios 68, 69 and 70 in MS 9600/23/06 above) (File 8) - Box 31
John Kerr to D. M. Cleland, 24 September 1970 concerning background information of the electorate of Research. 5p (File 9) - Box 32
W. E. H. Stanner. Reconstruction in the South Pacific Islands: a preliminary report. Part I. Papua and New Guinea. New York, International Secretariat, Institute of Pacific Relations, 47. [Noted as received from Australian Institute of International Affairs, 369 George St, Sydney, ?/2/48. DCM] (File 10) - Box 32
Grahamslaw, Tom. ‘Recollections of ANGAU’. 78pp. Carbon copy of Typescript, (n.d.) (File 11) - Box 32
Public Service Ordinance 1963 and 1965. Notes and drafts for final chapter. Includes copies of official correspondence, telegrams and press statements, 1964-1965 and New Guinea Highlands Bulletin, October 1964 (See article ‘The Salary Shock’) (File 12) - Box 32
‘New Guinea Days’. First draft. Handwritten. Book I. pp 1 - 110. ANGAU, 1943-1945 (File 13) - Box 32
Book II. Rough drafts of several chapters, 1951-1967, not numbered. Includes chronological table and some photographs (File 17) - Box 33
‘New Guinea Days’ Vol 1. 1943-1945, original typed copy (including photos) pp 1-139, 1943-1945 (File 18) - Box 33
Series 24. Tape recordings, 1966-1971
Farewell speeches from the House of Assembly and speeches at Sir Donald Cleland’s 70th birthday.
Series 25. Photographs of Papua New Guinea events, 1900-1973
Most appear to be official photographs and cover a wide variety of events and places visited in Papua New Guinea, a few are historical. [See also photographs in MS 9600/2/4 and MS 9600/4/2 taken during World War II]
Coronation celebrations in Port Moresby, Queen Elizabeth II, 1953 [See also Series 25 File 18] (File 3) - Box 34
Kairuku sub-district visit, November 1961 (album): Loose photographs sorted by subject into small envelopes, then further into larger envelopes, by Dame Rachel Cleland during 1998 (File 5) - Box 34
VIP visits and openings: Sir Robert Menzies 1957, Opening, Bomana War cemetery 1944, Various conferences (official photos well labelled) - United Nations Trusteeship Council, UN - New York 1955, District Commissioners’ Conference, 1965, World Health Organisation 1958 [See also Series25 File 18], District Medical Officers’ Conference 1963, South Pacific Commission, 1965 (File 12) - Box 36
Legislative Councils - various opening ceremonies, 1951, 1961, 1973, House of Assembly regalia, Rabaul Legislative Council opening 1933, Dutch Legislative Council opening Hollandia, 1961 (File 13) - Box 36
Port Moresby and Government House Including Port Moresby general (2), Sogeri (2), Elevala 1900, street tree planting 1966; Government House 1952-1953, the family at GH, Moresby in early days 1951-55; Investitures 1952, 1954, 1963, various loose photographs; Special visitors, Tom Mboya, Cardinal Gilroy, Lady Slim (File 15) - Box 36
Governors General and Royal Visits (File 16) - Box 37
Lord Dunrossil, Sir Dallas Brooks, Lord de Lisle, Lord Casey; Lord Casey at Goroka Show and some loose photographs; Lord de Lisle (including investiture of Sir Donald) [loose]; Sir William Slim [loose]; Queen’s visit to Canberra 1954 and later 1964?; Duke of Edinburgh visit to PNG, November 1956
Schools, balls and other social occasions (File 17) - Box 37
Schools, New Ireland Lemankot, Madang Sagalau, Yule Island, Balimo, Boroko, Rabaul, Goroka; Balls and other occasions
Official Occasions (File 18) - Box 37
Swearing in as Administrator, 1953; Coronation festivities, 1953 [See also Series 25,File 3] ; Conference of the World Health Organisation, 1958
Training institutions, local government councils, war memorials, and cemeteries, modes of transport, Queen’s visit, University of PNG (File 19) - Box 37
Modes of transport, horses, canoes and trawler; Opening new institutions, Plywood Mill Bulolo, St John’s Church, Bible Society; Local government councils ; R. G. Menzies visit, 1963 [See also Series 25 File 12]; Donald Cleland (later Sir) and R. G. Casey (later Lord) in Liberal Office Sydney, 1949; War memorials and cemeteries, Sohano, Bougainville, Kokoda Memorial to carriers; University of PNG and Administrative College