Guide to the Papers of William H. Lever, 1st Viscount Leverhulme (as filmed by the AJCP)
M1642-1649
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Created: 2019
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Lever, William Hesketh, Lord Leverhulme, 1851-1925
- Title
- Papers of William H. Lever, 1st Viscount Leverhulme (as filmed by the AJCP)
- Date Range
- 1899 - 1927
- Collection Number
- M1642-1649
- Extent
- 1 items
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Australian Joint Copying Project
- Sponsor
- The Australian Joint Copying Project (AJCP) online portal was created with the assistance of the Australian Public Service Modernisation Fund, 2017-2020. The National Library of Australia gratefully acknowledges the contribution of the other foundation AJCP partners, the State Library of New South Wales and The National Archives of the UK, and all other organisations which supported the work of the AJCP, the world's most extensive collaborative copying project, operating from 1948 to 1997.
Introduction
Scope and Contents
Papers relating to the activities of Leverhulme and Levers plantations, including the operations of the Pacific Islands Co. and the Pacific Phosphate Co., the activities of J. Kitchen and Sons in Australia, and Lever Brothers (New Zealand).
Subjects include: Javanese, Indian or Chinese labour for Solomon Islands; effects of industrial arbitration on manufacturing in Australia; industrial disputes in Australia; activities of the Australian company; Australian taxation; trade unionism in Australia; and Philippines Refining Corporation.
Major correspondents include W. Hulme Lever, R. Barrie, S. Gross, J. Meek, J.T. Arundel, Lord Stanmore, A.R. Dickinson, J.H. Kitchen, J. McDowell, C.M. Woodford, J.M.B. Stubbs, C.E. Tatlow, H.R. Greenhalgh, H.G. Hart, Sir Gilbert Fox and A. McNatty.
Conditions Governing Access
Available for Access.
Conditions Governing Use
Many of the records digitised as part of the AJCP are still in copyright. Readers wishing to publish or reproduce documents should seek permission, in the first instance, from the owner of the original material.
Preferred Citation
Acknowledgement of use of this material should refer to the location of the original material and to the Australian Joint Copying Project.
Items from this collection should include references to the location of the original material and to the AJCP nla.obj number, which serves as the online identifier for the digital copy.
Example: M Series: Journal of Capt. James Cook, 18 February 1770, British Library Add. MS 27885 (AJCP ref: http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1234)
Archival History
Material selectively filmed at Unilever House, London, as part of the Australian Joint Copying Project, 1985 (AJCP Reels: M1642-1649). Original microfilm digitised as part of the AJCP Online Delivery Project, 2017-2020.
Existence and Location of Originals
Unilever Art, Archives and Records Management, Unilever Ltd., Port Sunlight, Wirral, Merseyside, England.
For more information see Unilever Art, Archives and Records Management [https://www.unilever.com/about/who-we-are/our-history/unilever-archives.html]
Existence and Location of Copies
The original AJCP microfilm of the records filmed from this collection is available at the National Library of Australia [https://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn742986] as well as other institutions holding AJCP microfilm.
Related Materials
The records of the Lever Brothers Ltd were also filmed by the AJCP. [https://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2265503]
Finding-aid Notes
This finding aid is a revised online version of the original finding aid prepared by the Australian Joint Copying Project (AJCP), published by the National Library of Australia in 2019. The original AJCP finding aids were unpublished typescripts or photocopies available from libraries that held copies of the original microfilm.
Dates used in this finding aid refer to the date range of the records selected for filming rather than to the date range of the Series or Files.
Subjects
Arundel, J.T.; Australia; Australia: economic conditions; Barrie, R.; Business records; Dickinson, A.R.; Fox, Sir Gilbert; Gordon, Sir Arthur, 1st Baron Stanmore; Greenhalgh, H.R.; Gross, S.; Hart, H.G.; Kitchen, J. and Sons; Kitchen, J.H.; Lever Brothers (New Zealand); Lever, Sir William, 1st Viscount Leverhulme; Lever, W. Hulme; Manufacturers; McDowell, J.; McNatty, A.; Meek, J.; Pacific Islands Company; Pacific Phosphate Company; Philippines Refining Corporation; Solomon Islands; Strikes; Stubbs, J.M.B.; Tatlow, C.E.; Taxation; Trade unions; Woodford, Charles M.
Bibliography
Originally cited in Australian Joint Copying Project Handbook. Part 8: Miscellaneous (M) Series. Third Edition, published 1998. Entry 276, p103. [http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-397322928]
Biographical / Historical
Lord Leverhulme:
Sir William Hesketh Lever (1851-1925), 1st. Baron Leverhulme (created 1917) 1st. Viscount Leverhulme (created 1922). Lever entered his father's grocery business at Bolton in 1867, becoming a partner in 1872. In 1885 he established a soap factory at Warrington and 1889 he founded Port Sunlight, near Liverpool, which remained the headquarters of the Lever empire until 1921. Lever Brothers was registered as a private company in 1890 and converted to a public limited company in 1894. At first the company concentrated on the manufacture of Sunlight Soap, but after 1897 it diversified to other soaps, soap flakes and seed crushing. After 1906 the company gained control of a large number of companies in several countries, dominated the British soap market, became increasingly involved in raw material projects, and acquired shipping and food businesses. By 1929, when it amalgamated with the Netherlands-based Margarine Unie to form Unilever, it had an issued capital of over £56 million.
Until 1925 Lever Brothers was dominated by Leverhulme. After 1902 he held all the ordinary shares, to a value of £3 million in 1921. The Board of Directors seldom met: they were virtually all full-time managers who reported directly to Leverhulme. After 1915 a group of three directors were responsible for the foreign and associated companies. Most of the associated companies retained their legal identity and autonomy, with their own boards, managements, factories and sales forces. In 1921 a group of four, the Special Committee, was set up to ensure that Leverhulme acted on proper advice.
Lever Brothers In Australia:
Lever Brothers opened an office in Sydney in 1888 to distribute Lever soaps in Australia and to buy and transmit Pacific copra and English tallow. In 1900 a soap manufacturing plant was opened at Balmain. Lever Brothers (Australia) was incorporated in 1899, its capital wholly owned by Lever Brothers. There was a local board but it ceased to exist after 1903. J. Meek was Managing Director 1902-1923. In 1914 Lever Brothers acquired a 75% interest in the largest Australian soap manufacturer, J. Kitchen and Sons, which had been established in Melbourne in 1856. It also boughtout W.H. Burford and Sons, founded in Adelaide in 1839. It thereby gained control of about 60% of the Australian soap market. The Australian companies retained considerable autonomy. By 1925 Lever companies in Australia consisted of the three soap companies, Lever Pacific Plantations Ltd and Trufood of Australia Ltd, linked together by a holding company Australian Producers Copartnership Pty Ltd.
Lever Brothers In The Pacific:
The Pacific Islands Company was founded by J.T. Arundel in 1897 and subsequently acquired extensive leases in the Solomon Islands and mining concessions in Nauru and Ocean Island. In 1902 the Company was reconstituted, Lever bought a large number of shares and also leases on several islands, including Fiji, Christmas Island, Canton Island and Surwarrow Island. He eventually sold most of these leases and concentrated on the Solomon Islands, where by 1907 he had acquired about 300,000 acres, both freehold and leasehold. However, the growth of Lever's Pacific Plantations Ltd. was hampered by a shortage of labour and copra was never grown on more than 20,000 acres. By 1925 there were about 20 Lever estates in the islands. Most of the estate managers were Australians and the Managing Director, G. Fulton, was based in Sydney. In 1928 Lever's Pacific Planatations Ltd. was converted into an Australian company owned by J. Kitchen and Sons. In addition to his own copra estates, Lever took a strong interest in the affairs of the Pacific Phosphate Company, and was a director in 1909-1912.
Source: D.K. Fieldhouse. Unilever overseas; the anatomy of a multinational 1895-1965. (London, Croom Helm 1978)
Item Descriptions
Series Parcel TT3734. Sunlight Works and Lever Bros. Ltd. Correspondence, 1899 - 1923
2 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1642.
Sunlight Works, Sydney, 1906 - 1923 (File File 112A)
Correspondence between Leverhulme and J. Meek, Managing Director of Lever Brothers Ltd. (Australia).
Subjects include Indian and Chinese labour for Solomon Islands; advertising; competition with Palmolive; cost of Pacific plantations; co-partnership schemes; effects of industrial arbitration on manufacturing in Australia; visits by Meek to Solomon Islands; visit of J. Storey to Port Sunlight; soap prices; visits by Meek to England (1911, 1920); W.A. Holman; industrial disputes in Australia; relations with Kitchens; dissatisfaction of Lever with Pacific Plantations; deaths of staff in Sydney; general activities of Australian company.
Lever Bros. Ltd., Sydney, 1899 - 1915 (File File 114)
1 itemFilmed selectively.
Correspondence between Lever and J.W. Hope, Manager of Balmain works, 1899 - 1915 (Item)
Subjects include departure of Hope for Australia (1899); his relations with W.P. Gray and Kirkby; completion of soap works at Balmain; production of chemicals in Sydney; wages; return of Hope to England (1902).
The 1903-1915 correspondence does not refer to Australia.
Series Parcel TT3739. Correspondence to G. Fulton and H. Greenhalgh, 1902 - 20 March 1918
3 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1642.
Fulton and Greenhalgh Journey, 1902 (File File 144)
Correspondence between Lever, J. Arundel. G. Fulton and H. Greenhalgh concerning arrangements for a tour by Fulton and Greenhalgh of Australia and the Solomon Islands.
W. Hulme Lever, 26 October 1909 - 29 March 1910 (File File 157)
1 itemFilmed selectively.
Correspondence and cables concerning visit of Lever's son, W. Hulme Lever, and nephew, R. Lever, to Japan, Solomon Islands, Hong Kong, Australia, Ceylon and India, 26 October 1909 - 29 March 1910 (Item)
Correspondents include Lever, W. Hulme Lever, J. Cheshire, C. Crowther (Kobe), J. Meek (Sydney), J. Ritchie (Sydney). They refer to the affairs of Lever Brothers in England; inspection of plantations in Solomon Islands; social activities in Sydney; arrangements for return to England.
Series Parcel TT3740. Correspondence to W. Hulme Lever, 11 October 1922 - 14 March 1924
2 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1642.
W. Hulme Lever, 11 October 1922 - 23 October 1922 (File File 157E)
4 itemsFilmed selectively.
W. Hulme Lever, 19 February 1923 - 14 March 1924 (File File 157F)
6 itemsFilmed selectively.
Leverhulme to W. Hulme Lever, 19 February 1923 (Item)
Proposed tour by Leverhulme of Australia, China and Japan.
W. Hulme Lever to Leverhulme, 11 June 1923 (Item)
West African meetings; discussion with F.W. Walker of Papuan Industries Ltd.
Leverhulme to W. Hulme Lever, 13 June 1923 (Item)
Declines to provide any more capital for Papuan Industries Ltd.
Series Parcel TT3741. Special Committee Correspondence, October 1901 - 28 January 1924
3 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1642.
Special Committee, October 1901 - 18 July 1919 (File File 162)
11 itemsFilmed selectively.
Lever to Lever Brothers, October 1901 - March 1902 (Item)
Visit to Fremantle, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney; meetings with agencies; closure of Melbourne office; inspection of Sydney works; treatment of lyes; trade with Dutch East Indies. (10 letters).
Leverhulme to Directors, 3 June 1919 (Item)
Pacific Phosphate Company; takeover of Nauru by Government.
Special Committee, 16 March 1920 - 19 October 1920 (File File 162A)
4 itemsFilmed selectively.
Series Parcel TT3742. Pacific Islands Co. Correspondence, 1903 - 1904
1 itemArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1643.
Pacific Islands Company, 1903 - 1904 (File File 164A1)
Correspondence of Lever with J.T. Arundel, G.E. Ellis, Lord Stanmore, W.L. Allardyce, A.J. Reeves and Sir Henry Jackson concerning the Pacific Islands Company and Pacific Phosphate Company.
Subjects include copra prices; Australian markets for phosphates; management of Lever's Pacific Plantations; share transactions; shipments from Ocean Island; travels of J.T. Arundel; acquisition of leases in Solomon Islands; report of visit by J. Tillotson to Pacific Islands (1904).
Series Parcel TT3743. Pacific Phosphate Co. Correspondence, 1905 - 1911
3 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reels M1643-M1644.
Pacific Phosphate Co., 1905 - 1910 (File File 164A2)
Correspondence concerning negotiations for purchase of Solomon Islands concessions from Pacific Islands Company (1906); discovery of phosphate in Pacific Islands; visit of Lever to Pacific Islands (1906); chairmanship of Pacific Phosphate Company; reports on shipment of phosphate; appointment of Lever as director of Pacific Phosphate Company (1909); Australian and Japanese contracts; increase in capital; meetings of Company; appointment of Deputy Director; investments in Compagnie Francaise des Phosphates de l'Oceanie; Ocean Island land question.
Correspondents include Lever, A.J. Reeves, Lord Stanmore, A.R. Dickinson, B.T. Balding and J.T. Arundel.
Pacific Phosphate Co., 1910 (File File 164B)
Correspondence concerning meetings of Pacific Phosphate Company; appointment of a Deputy Director; relations with Mitsui and Co. Ltd. and Bremen Sudseephosphat Gesellschaft; Christmas Island Phosphate Company; increase in capital of Compagnie Francaise des Phosphates de l'Oceanie; Ocean Island land question.
Correspondents include Lever, H. Voss, Lord Stanmore, A.J. Reeves, B.T. Balding and A.R. Dickinson.
Pacific Phosphate Co., 1910 - 1911 (File File 164C)
Correspondence concerning relations with High Commission for Western Pacific; negotiations with Colonial Office on acquisition of land on Ocean Island; reports of directors; prices charged at stores on Ocean Island; reports from representative at Nauru; recruitment of labour; salaries of managing directors. There are also summaries of the Company's staff in Nauru, Melbourne and London, an article on Ocean Island in Blackwood's Magazine, and a translation of G. Haller. Die Phosphat Gesellichaffen der Sudsee (Mannheim, 1911).
Correspondents include Lever, H. Voss, Lord Stanmore, A.R. Dickinson, A.J. Reeve/> O. Thiemer, J. Ewart and B.T. Balding.
Series Parcel TT3744. Pacific Phosphate Co. Correspondence, 1911 - 1915
2 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1644.
Pacific Phosphate Co., 1911 - 1912 (File File 164D)
Correspondence concerning meetings of Pacific Phosphate Company; possible appointment of B.T. Balding as Director; Lever's plans to give up directorship; issue of increased capital; capital raised for Compagnie Francaise des Phosphates de l'Oceanie; discussions with Colonial Office on prices charged to natives on Ocean Island; reports from representative of Pacific Phosphate Company in Australia; recruitment of labour.
Correspondents include Lever, Lord Stanmore, Lord Balfour, B.T. Balding, A.J. Reeves, O. Thiemer, H. Voss, A.R. Dickinson and J. Ewart.
Pacific Phosphate Co., 1912 - 1915 (File File 164E)
Correspondence concerning reports of Pacific Phosphate Company; retirement of Lever from Board and nomination of Lord Grey as his successor; effects of loss of Nauru by Germany on future of Company (1914); relations between Managing Directors and B.T. Balding; issue of preference shares; report of Compagnie Francaise des Phosphates de l'Oceanie; appointment of B.T. Balding as a director (1915).
Correspondents include Lever, J.T. Arundel, O. Thiemer, J. Hohenemser, B.T. Balding, A.J. Reeves, H. Voss, A.R. Dickinson, A.F. Ellis and Lord Balfour.
Series Parcel TT3745. Correspondence of S. Gross, 29 September 1902 - 18 May 1903
2 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1644.
S. Gross, 29 September 1902 - 30 September 1902 (File File 182D)
2 itemsMainly concerned with advertising.
Filmed selectively.
Biographical / Historical
S. Gross was a director of Lever Bros 1898-1911.
Series Parcel TT3747. Pacific Islands Correspondence, 1903 - 22 June 1907
2 itemsIncludes correspondence concerning Fanning and Washington Islands.
Archival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1644.
S. Gross, 20 June 1907 - 22 June 1907 (File File 182I)
2 itemsFilmed selectively.
S. Gross to Lever, 20 June 1907 - 22 June 1907 (Item)
Advertisement by Jamaican Government for use of bananas; cultivation of bananas on Lever's Pacific islands.
Includes: Lever to S. Gross; Bananas only produced to feed labour; temptation to diversify from coconut planting to products unrelated to soap. [22 June 1907]
Fanning and Washington Islands, 1903 (File File 195(1))
Correspondence concerning proposed purchase by Lever from H. Berkeley of half of Fanning and Washington Islands; draft agreement; difficulties about legal title; production of copra on the islands.
Correspondents include Lever, H. Berkeley, Sir Walter Buller, G.C. Ellis and Hollams, Sons, Coward and Hawksley.
Series Parcel TT3748. Fanning and Washington Islands Correspondence, 1903 - 1904
1 itemArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1644.
Fanning and Washington Islands, 1903 - 1904 (File File 195(2))
Report by G. Fulton on Fanning Island and correspondence concerning ownership of the two Islands; efforts by H. Berkeley to conclude sale; breakdown of negotiations.
Correspondents include Lever, H. Berkeley, James Irvine and Co., J. Tillotson (Sydney), William Scott and Co. (Levuka), and Hollams, Sons, Coward and Hawksley.
Series Parcel TT3755. New Zealand Correspondence, 1921 - 1925
1 itemArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1644.
Lever Bros., Petone, New Zealand, 1921 - 1925 (File File 507)
Correspondence concerning affairs of Lever Brothers (New Zealand) Ltd.; costs; advertising; closure of agencies in New Zealand; extension to Petone factory; gift of pictures from Leverhulme to Auckland Art Gallery; transfer of management to T. Burton (1924).
Correspondents include Leverhulme, O.C. Hebb (Wellington) and T. Burton (Wellington).
Series Parcel TT3757. Correspondence to R. Barrie, 1900 - 1909
2 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1645.
R. Barrie, 1900 - 1905 (File File 573)
Correspondence between Lever and R. Barrie, a director of Lever Brothers, 1897-1909, chiefly responsible for raw materials. It deals with the general affairs of the Company, including New Zealand agencies; export of tallow from Australia; visit by Lever to Australia (1901); kernel and copra production in Fiji; glycerine shipments to Sydney; sale of Australian tallow in United States; cost of casking oil from Sydney; discussions with Deutsche-Handels Plantagen Gesellschaft about Pacific Islands; report of J. Tillotson on Sydney operations (1904); prices of raw materials; purchase of ground nut oil by Sydney company.
Series Parcel TT3758. Brunner Mond & Co. Ltd. Correspondence, 15 January 1915 - 10 April 1916
2 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1645.
Brunner Mond and Co. Ltd, 15 January 1915 - 1 June 1915 (File File 632(1))
2 itemsFilmed selectively.
Series Parcel TT3762. Correspondence to J.H.M. Savage, 1901 - 1923
1 itemArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1645.
Series Parcel TT3767. Co-Partnership Trust Correspondence, 24 February 1923 - 19 October 1923
1 itemArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1645.
Co-Partnership (General), 24 February 1923 - 19 October 1923 (File File 1389)
4 itemsFilmed selectively.
J. Meek and L.V. Fildes, 29 August 1923 - 16 October 1923 (Item)
J. Meek to Secretary, Co-Partnership Trust; death duties in Australia; inability to place preferred ordinary shares of Lever Brothers into Planting Ltd. [29 August 1923]
L.V. Fildes (Port Sunlight) to Leverhulme; letter from J. Meek; request would require alteration in in Co-Partnership Trust Deed. [16 October 1923]
Series Parcel TT3769. Correspondence to F.A. Countway, 19 April 1920 - 15 March 1923
2 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1645.
F.A. Countway, 19 April 1920 - 1 January 1921 (File File 1482)
9 itemsFilmed selectively.
Biographical / Historical
F.A. Countway was President, Lever Brothers, Boston.
Leverhulme to F.A. Countway, 19 April 1920 (Item)
Visit to America; plans to visit Japan, China, Philippines and Australia.
Leverhulme to F.A. Countway, 20 July 1920 (Item)
Philippine companies; option on copra oil produced in Philippines; edible food trade.
Leverhulme to F.A. Countway, 13 December 1920 (Item)
Affairs of Philippine Refining Company; creation of $2 million. mortgage bonds.
F.A. Countway, 23 January 1922 - 15 March 1923 (File File 1482B)
8 itemsFilmed selectively.
Series Parcel TT3770. Correspondence to F.A. Countway, 27 July 1923 - April 1925
2 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1645.
F.A. Countway, 27 July 1923 - 10 September 1923 (File File 1482C)
4 itemsFilmed selectively.
F.A. Countway to Leverhulme, 28 July 1923 (Item)
Return to America; sales; royalties; visit by Baker to Philippines.
Leverhulme to F.A. Countway, 13 August 1923 - 10 September 1923 (Item)
Sends letter from J. Meek about activities of Palmolive in Australia; competition between Palmolive and Lever Brothers.
Includes: Leverhulme to F.A. Countway; sends advertisement issued by Palmolive in Australia; import of soap from United States. [10 September 1923]
F.A. Countway, 24 December 1924 - April 1925 (File File 1482D)
5 itemsFilmed selectively.
F.A. Countway to Leverhulme, 24 December 1924 (Item)
Guttenberg property; accommodation of steamers from Philippines; encloses agreement between Smith, Bell and Co. and Philippine Refining Corporation on oil in bulk contract.
F.A. Countway to Leverhulme, 26 December 1924 (Item)
Proposed visit to Philippines; slender profit margin in refining business in Philippines; relations with other Philippine companies, including Tabacalera Company.
Series Parcel TT3773. Correspondence to P.J. Winser, 15 September 1899 - 3 January 1901
1 itemArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1645.
P.J. Winser, 15 September 1899 - 3 January 1901 (File File 1699)
5 itemsFilmed selectively.
Biographical / Historical
Winser was a director of Lever Brothers, 1894-1901, and Vice-Chairman, 1897-1901.
Lever to P.J. Winser, 15 September 1899 - 2 October 1899 (Item)
Licence for Jobbins in Sydney.
Includes: Lever to P.J. Winser; suggests J.W. Hope be made Director of Company in Sydney. [2 October 1899]
P.J. Winser (Sydney) to Lever, 16 December 1900 (Item)
Visit to Canada; cost of manufactures; unsatisfactory state of affairs in Sydney.
Series Parcel TT3775. Correspondence to E. Hyslop Bell and F. D'Arcy Cooper, 1902 - 2 May 1927
5 itemsIncludes correspondence concerning Pacific Islands Co. and Managing Directors Conference.
Archival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reels M1645-M1646.
E. Hyslop Bell, 19 April 1924 (File File 1831)
1 itemFilmed selectively.
Biographical / Historical
E. Hyslop Bell was Chairman of the Niger Company.
F. D'Arcy Cooper, 9 November 1923 - 14 April 1924 (File File 1836)
3 itemsFilmed selectively.
Biographical / Historical
F. D'Arcy Cooper was Vice-Chairman of Lever Brothers 1923-1925, Chairman 1925-1930, and Chairman of Unilever 1930-1941.
Pacific Islands Company, 1902 - 1924 (File File 1882)
Correspondence concerning accounts of Pacific Islands Company; purchase of sailing vessel (1903); negotiations with Jaluit Gesellschaft for purchase of copra; activities of Lever's Pacific Plantations Ltd.; visit of J. Tillotson to Pacific Islands (1904); efforts to obtain from New Zealand Government lease of Suwarrow Island (1904); inventory of steam yacht Victoria; negotiations on purchase of Solomon Islands concessions (1906); notes on Indian and Chinese labour for Solomon Islands (1923-1924). Most of papers date from 1903-1904 and 1923-1924.
Correspondents include Leverhulme, E. Cooper, H. Greenhalgh, Lord Ranfurly, Sir John Anderson (Singapore), G. Fulton, E. Marsh.
Series Parcel TT3776. Kitchen and Sons Ltd. and R.W. Nivison & Co., 1901 - 1925
3 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1646.
Kitchen and Sons Ltd, 1902 - 1925 (File File 2018)
Correspondence, mostly dating 1913-1925, concerning activities of Kitchen and Sons in Australia; amalgamation of Company with Lever Brothers (1914); effect of War on Australian business; free trade and protectionism; establishment of hydrogenation plant in Australia; visit of J.H. Kitchen to England (1919); death of John A. Kitchen (1922); establishment of Australian Producers Co-Partnership Ltd. (1924); purchase of R. Miller & Co. of Hobart; alterations to Port Melbourne office; co-partnership shares; visit of Leverhulme to Australia (1924); death of John H. Kitchen (1925).
Correspondents include Leverhulme, J.H. Kitchen (Sydney), F.W. Kitchen (Melbourne), A.J. Kitchen (Sydney) and W.J. Kitchen (Melbourne).
R.W. Nivison and Co., stockbrokers, 1901 - 1914 (File File 2318)
Correspondence between Lever and R. Nivison on financial matters, including sale of Pacific Phosphate Company shares by J.T. Arundel (1911); affairs of Pacific Phosphate Company; Lever's Pacific Phosphate Loan Account; issue of second preference shares by Pacific Phosphate Company (1914); amalgamation of Kitchen and Sons with Lever Brothers (1914).
Series Parcel TT3777. Correspondence to R.W. Nivison and J. McDowell, 10 May 1911 - 17 February 1920
2 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1646.
Series Parcel TT3778. Correspondence to J. McDowell and A. Cahn, 9 October 1915 - 28 May 1924
3 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1646.
Series Parcel TT3780. Correspondence to D'Arcy Lever and C.M. Woodford, 1905 - 1918
2 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1646.
D'Arcy Lever, 15 April 1914 - 7 July 1914 (File File 4506)
2 itemsFilmed selectively.
Biographical / Historical
D'Arcy Lever, a nephew of Leverhulme, was a director of Lever Brothers, 1910-1914.
C.M. Woodford, 1905 - 1918 (File File 4517)
Correspondence between Leverhulme and C.M. Woodford, Resident Commissioner in the Solomon Islands. Subjects include Lever's Pacific Plantations; wharfage rates for copra at Sydney; social events; introduction of Javanese or Indian labourers to Solomon Islands; Woodford's resignation as Resident Commissioner (1915); exchange of land at Ysobel and Kulambangra; Japanese entry into Pacific; petition of Solomon Islands Planters Association that Protectorate be made a Crown Colony (1917); lectures in Liverpool by Woodford on Solomon Islands; American development of copra in Pacific.
Series Parcel TT3783. Pacific Phosphate Co. Correspondence, 1910 - 1912
1 itemArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1647.
Pacific Phosphate Company, 1910 - 1912 (File File 5904)
Extensive papers assembled by Lever as a director of Pacific Phosphate Company, including agenda papers, reports and memoranda of managing directors, copies of correspondence, copies of cables from A.F. Ellis at Nauru, financial statements, and statements of shipments.
Of special note are a report by L. Bertrand on a voyage in Oceania (April-September 1910); memorandum on a conference at Cologne of the English, German and French phosphate companies(September 1910); notes on Compagnie Francaise des Phosphats de l'Oceanie; copies of correspondence with Colonial Office and High Commission for Western Pacific; papers on Ocean Island land question; minutes of a conference of Pacific Phosphate Company at Nauru (March-April 1911).
Series Parcel TT3784. Correspondence to C. Knowles, 29 January 1917 - 2 February 1917
1 itemArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1648.
C. Knowles, 29 January 1917 - 2 February 1917 (File File 6104B)
3 itemsFilmed selectively.
Biographical / Historical
C. Knowles was a director of Lever Brothers, 1910-1921, responsible for raw materials.
Series Parcel TT3785. Correspondence to C. Knowles, 29 December 1917 - 3 November 1920
2 itemsIncludes correspondence from C. Tatlow, H.G. Hart and C.W. Barnish.
Archival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1648.
Series Parcel TT3789. Correspondence to J.M.B. Stubbs and M. Horn, 31 December 1913 - 16 August 1919
2 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1648.
J.M.B. Stubbs, 2 September 1914 - 16 August 1919 (File File 7364)
16 itemsFilmed selectively.
Includes:
Lever to J.M.B. Stubbs; New Zealand Soap and Candle Company; loss of goodwill for Sydney company; advantage of local directors. [2 September 1914]
J.M.B. Stubbs to Lever; cable from Kitchens requesting money be available in Melbourne in November. (telegram). [15 October 1914]
Lever to J.M.B. Stubbs; reply to Kitchens. (telegram). [15 October 1914]
J.M.B. Stubbs to Lever; cable from Kitchens on acceptance by Melbourne meeting of larger agreement. (telegram). [5 November 1914]
Lever to J.M.B. Stubbs; approves cable to Kitchens. (telegram). [6 November 1914]
Lever to J.M.B. Stubbs; approves cable to Sydney. (telegram). 17 November 1914]
Lever to J.M.B. Stubbs; choice of Australian staff between shares in Pacific Islands companies and copartnership certificates. [22 January 1915]
Lever to J.M.B. Stubbs; letter from J.H. Kitchen on charge for hardened fat; seeks report. [7 March 1916]
J.M.B. Stubbs to Leverhulme; agreement with Kitchens on dividend. (telegram). [1 August 1919]
J.M.B. Stubbs to Leverhulme; cable from Kitchens on agreement. (telegram). [11 August 1919]
J.M.B. Stubbs to Leverhulme; agreement with Kitchens. (telegram). [14 August 1919]
J.M.B. Stubbs to Leverhulme; draft agreement with Kitchens. (telegram). [16 August 1919]
Biographical / Historical
J.M.B. Stubbs was Secretary of several of Lever's associated companies.
Series Parcel TT3790. Correspondence to M. Horn, C.E. Tatlow, and Ernest Walls, 1909 - 1925
5 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1648.
C.E. Tatlow, 1909 - 1918 (File File 7823)
Correspondence between Leverhulme and C.E. Tatlow, a director of Lever Brothers, 1915-1929, chiefly responsible for the Australian associated companies. Subjects include character of J. Meek; difficulties with oil prices in Sydney; reports of hurricane in Solomon Islands (1916); visit by A.E. Knowles to Australia (1916); affairs in Solomon Islands; visits by Tatlow to Kitchens, Burfords New Zealand Candle Company and Lever Brothers New Zealand (1917); visit of W.A. Holman to England; assistance to Ruby Rich to visit Switzerland; British New Guinea Development Company; alkali manufacture in Australia.
C.E.Tatlow, 1919 - 1924 (File File 7823A)
Correspondence between Leverhulme and C.E. Tatlow, mainly comprising letters from Leverhulme. Subjects include Indian labour for Solomon Islands; shares in Pacific companies; edible fat trade in Australia; relations with Kitchens; sick and accident fund in Sydney; discussion with Capt. J.G. Skeet about German properties in New Guinea (1919); assistance to Ruby and Vera Rich; correspondence with J. Meek; future control of Pacific Islands (1919); New Guinea plantations; relations with Burfords; Australian Central Management Board; management of Solomon Islands Estates; G. Fulton; visit by Leverhulme to Australia (1923); soap trade in Australia; Australian and New Zealand appointments; interview with J.H. Thomas about Solomon Islands (1924); alterations to Port Melbourne office and Sydney works.
C.E. Tatlow, 1924 - 1925 (File File 7823B)
Correspondence between Leverhulme and C.E. Tatlow, mainly comprising letters of Leverhulme. Subjects include death of J.H. Kitchen; visit by J. Meek to Gilli-Gilli estate; correspondence with J. Meek and T. Burton.
Series Parcel TT3792. Correspondence to H.R. Greenhalgh, 11 December 1916 - 11 March 1925
2 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1649.
H.R. Greenhalgh, 11 December 1916 - 5 October 1917 (File File 8104A)
11 itemsFilmed selectively.
Biographical / Historical
H.R. Greenhalgh was a director of Lever Brothers 1915-1930 and Vice-Chairman 1925-1930.
Lever to H.R. Greenhalgh, 11 December 1916 (Item)
Arrangements for Wernham to visit Australia and Solomon Islands. (telegram)
Lever to H.R. Greenhalgh, 18 April 1917 (Item)
Discharge of Captain. Menmuir; entitlement to co-partnership certificates.
H.R. Greenhalgh, 30 December 1924 - 11 March 1925 (File File 8104F)
10 itemsFilmed selectively.
H.R. Greenhalgh (Pt. Sunlight) to Leverhulme and F. D'Arcy Cooper (Lagos), 30 December 1924 (Item)
Production reports from two southern whaling expeditions.
Leverhulme to H.R. Greenhalgh, 31 December 1924 (Item)
General business matters; advantages of participation in whaling industry.
H.R. Greenhalgh to Leverhulme and F. D'Arcy Cooper, 19 January 1925 (Item)
Raw materials; refers to shipment of bulk Sumatran palm oil.
H.R. Greenhalgh to Leverhulme and F. D'Arcy Cooper, 20 January 1925 (Item)
Sends statement of production of whale oil at stations in South Georgia and South Shetland; oil prices.
Leverhulme (Cape Palmas) to H.R. Greenhalgh, 26 February 1925 (Item)
Acknowledges reports; refers to whale meat flakes and meal and Premier Whaling Company.
Series Parcel TT3794. Correspondence to R. Pears, 1 October 1923
1 itemArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1649.
Series Parcel TT3795. Correspondence of H.G. Hart, 4 May 1915 - 20 February 1923
2 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1649.
H.G. Hart, 4 May 1915 - 3 April 1917 (File File 8408)
18 itemsFilmed selectively.
Biographical / Historical
H.G. Hart was a director of Lever Brothers, 1918-1930.
Lever to H.G. Hart and C.W. Barnish, 4 May 1915 (Item)
Appointment of commercial supervisor of hydrogenation plants at Toronto, Durban, Sydney, Kobe.
Lever to H.G. Hart, 31 January 1916 (Item)
Australian business; supply of hardened fat to Kitchens; Lever Brothers should not enter margarine; need to keep on good terms with Kitchens.
Lever to H.G. Hart, 6 March 1916 (Item)
Colonial Office complaints against W. Ross and Francis; need for respect towards Government officials; possible action against Ross.
Lever to H.G. Hart, 26 February 1917 (Item)
Returns reports of Ferguson, Buchanan and Tatlow at Sydney.
H.G. Hart, 22 October 1919 - 20 February 1923 (File File 8408A)
8 itemsFilmed selectively.
Series Parcel TT3801. Correspondence to C.W. Barnish, 3 March 1921
1 itemArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1649.
Series Parcel TT3805. Correspondence of Sir Gilbert Fox and A. McNalty, 1916 - 7 May 1921
2 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1649.
Sir Gilbert Fox, 1916 - 1919 (File File 8908)
Correspondence between Leverhulme and Sir Gilbert Fox, a part-time director of Lever Brothers, 1916-1920. Subjects include appointment of Fox as director; social events; arrangements for meetings; relations with Colonial Bank; purchase of Pacific Phosphate Company shares; appointment of Fox as director of Pacific Phosphate Company (1917); relations with Lord Beaverbrook; prices of raw materials; British politics; negotiations with Lord Milner on future of Pacific Phosphate Company (1919).
Brigadier General A. McNalty, 31 October 1920 - 7 May 1921 (File File 9244)
8 itemsFilmed selectively.
A. McNalty (San Francisco) to Leverhulme, 31 October 1920 (Item)
Impressions of United States; meeting with C. Hamilton; position of Philippines Company.
A. McNalty (Vancouver) to Leverhulme, [1920]-11-08 (Item)
Impressions of United States; Visayan Company.
Leverhulme to A. McNalty, 24 November 1920 (Item)
Thanks for reports; advantages of crushing copra in Philippines rather than United States.
A. McNalty (Honolulu) to Leverhulme, 30 November 1920 (Item)
Talks with Holdsworth of Canadian and Australian Royal Mail Line; S.S. Niagara.
Leverhulme to A. McNalty (Singapore), 24 January 1921 (Item)
Labour conditions on sugar plantations in Hawaii; Kilavea Volcano.
Series Parcel TT3809. Correspondence to Capt. N.C. Watt, 1919 - 26 January 1945
2 itemsIncludes miscellaneous papers.
Archival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M1649.
Captain N.C. Watt, 1919 - 1925 (File File 10049)
Correspondence between Leverhulme and Captain N.C. Watt of the Southern Whaling and Sealing Company, with some letters of H.R. Greenhalgh, B.R. Bostock and W. Hulme Lever.
Subjects include purchase by Leverhulme of whaling business in South Pacific; establishment of whaling station at Harris; scientific research in Antarctic whaling grounds; purchase of whaling boats; canning of whale meat in New Zealand; profits of Southern Whaling and Sealing Company. There is a report by B.R. Bostock on the 1920/1921 whaling season.