Guide to the Papers of King O'Malley

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MS 460

National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record

Collection Summary

Creator
King O'Malley
Title
Papers of King O'Malley
Date Range
1888-1955
Collection Number
MS 460
Extent
3.65 metres (23 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Repository
National Library of Australia

Introduction

Scope and Contents

The O'Malley papers are in two main groups. There are administrative papers concerning business dealt with the Department of Home Affairs during the years 1910-1913 and 1915-1916 when O'Malley was Minister. There are also some other papers of government business of an earlier date - such as old age pensions - which were dealt with by O'Malley. This material is found in Series 1.

There are also personal papers being correspondence, diaries, drafts of speeches, legal documents and miscellaneous printed matter. Much of this material relates to the period after O'Malley's parliamentary career. This material is found in Series 2 to Series 8.

Conditions Governing Access

Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2246025).

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Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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 King O'Malley, National Library of Australia, MS 460, [box number and series and/or file number]'.

Other Finding Aids

All correspondence in the collection has been name-indexed; please refer to the attached Correspondence Index (Appendix I) under the Related Documentation tab.

Biographical Note

DateEvent
4 July 1858Asserted by O'Malley to be date of birth at Stanford Farm, Quebec, Canada.
1888Emigrated to Queensland for health reasons. Here he worked first as a book canvasser, later as a land salesman.
1896-1899Member for Encounter Bay in the Legislative Assembly of South Australia.
c.1900Moved to Tasmania as a travelling commissioner for Equitable Life Co.
1901Elected to the first Federal House of Representatives.
1903Became federal member for Darwin when Tasmania divided into electorates, a position he held until 1917.
1910Married to Amy Horton (his second wife)
1910-13, 1915-16Minister for Home Affairs in Fisher and Hughes Administrations.
December 1953Died in Melbourne.
DateEvent
4 July 1858Asserted by O'Malley to be date of birth at Stanford Farm, Quebec, Canada.
1888Emigrated to Queensland for health reasons. Here he worked first as a book canvasser, later as a land salesman.
1896-1899Member for Encounter Bay in the Legislative Assembly of South Australia.
c.1900Moved to Tasmania as a travelling commissioner for Equitable Life Co.
1901Elected to the first Federal House of Representatives.
1903Became federal member for Darwin when Tasmania divided into electorates, a position he held until 1917.
1910Married to Amy Horton (his second wife)
1910-13, 1915-16Minister for Home Affairs in Fisher and Hughes Administrations.
December 1953Died in Melbourne.

Item Descriptions

Series 1. Papers and Correspondence mainly relating to the Department of Home Affairs, 1910-13, 1915-16

Item numbers 1-4934

These papers consist of original files, which have been preserved intact, plus a large number of miscellaneous papers which have been arranged by subject. The arrangement within each subject is as far as possible, chronological.

Subseries. Organization of Department of Home Affairs - Box 1

Item numbers 1-157

Includes O'Malley's orders, plans for reform, and criticisms of the Department. (1 folder compiled 1967).

Subseries. Public Works Committee, 1916 - Box 1

Item numbers 158-160

(1 folder compiled 1967).

Subseries. Applications for appointments within the Department - Box 1

Item numbers 161-235

Papers and correspondence relating to appointment of A. Barrett as chief lithographic printer at Canberra 1915-16 (original file). Applications - general (1 folder compiled 1967).

Subseries. Suggestions for improvements in Commonwealth Department, 1915-16 - Box 1

Item numbers 236-308

(1 folder compiled 1967).

Subseries. Schedules of Department of Home Affairs - Box 1

Item numbers 309-714

Copies of Schedules No 3, 1911 (1 folder compiled 1967). Miscellaneous acknowledgment of Schedule No 10, 1912 (original file). Complementary letters re Schedules 1911-13 with O'Malley's answers (3 original files). Acknowledgement of Schedules 1913 and 1916 (1 folder compiled 1967)

Subseries. Public Works matters, 1911-1913 - Box 1

Item number 715-877

Subseries. Post Master General's Department (see also Public Works matters) - Box 2

Item number 878-1055

P.M.G. 1909-1916 (1 folder compiled 1967). Broadwalk Boot Co. - claim re compulsory acquisition at Perth, W.A. (original file). Cable chute at G.P.O., Sydney 1916 (1 folder compiled 1967)

Subseries. Railways - Box 2, 3

Item number 1056-2091

Sleepers, Rails, Diesel Engines (original file). Trans-Australian Railway employment etc (original file). Trans-Australian Railway (1 folder compiled 1967). Unification of railway gauge (original file). Canberra to Jervis Bay Line 1916 (1 folder compiled 1967). A. Combes (file containing the report on the Premier's Conference held in Adelaide 1916, and a report on the strategic railway from Brisbane to Port Augusta, 1916).. A. Combes, 1916 (1 folder compiled 1967). Gilchrist (original file). Gilchrist (1 folder compiled 1967). Henry Chinn 1911-16 (1 folder compiled 1967). Foster's letter 1916 (original file)

Subseries. Federal Capital - Box 3

Item number 2092-2424

Mr Starr, Civil and Mechanical Engineer, 1916 (original file). Other papers (4 folders compiled 1967).

Subseries. Federal arsenals - Box 3

Item number 2425-2605

(original file)

Subseries. Sydney Customs House, 1912-16 - Box 4

Item number 2606-2749

(1 original file and 1 folder compiled 1967. Se also numbers 108-125)

Subseries. Naval Depot, Williamstown - Box 4

Item number 2750-2784

(1 folder compiled 1967)

Subseries. Naval Defence works - Box 4

Item number 2785-2793

(1 folder compiled 1967)

Subseries. Commonwealth Offices in Melbourne, 1915 - Box 4

Item number 2794-2869

For Cabinet; a new Commonwealth Building in Melbourne (original file access restricted). (1 other folder compiled 1967

Subseries. Trade Union - Box 4

Item number 2870-3045

Trades Hall Conference Sydney 23 November 1915, and results of conference (1 folder compiled 1967). Report of Trade Hall Conference, Melbourne, 18 November 1915 (original file). Other Union matters (1 folder compiled 1967)

Subseries. Formation of Department of Labour and Statistics - Box 4

Item number 3046-3063

(1 folder compiled 1967)

Subseries. Amendment of Commonwealth Public Service Act - Box 4

Item number 3064-3072

(1 folder compiled 1967)

Subseries. Murray Rivers Water Commission - Box 4

Item number 3073-3083

(1 folder compiled 1967)

Subseries. Commonwealth Price Board, 1916 - Box 4

Item number 3084-3095

(1 folder compiled 1967)

Subseries. Outside architects - Box 4

Item number 3096-3107

(original file)

Subseries. Buchan - Box 4

Item number 3108-3149

Marble quarries 1916 (original file)

Subseries. Ceremonies - Box 4, 5

Item number 3150-3254

Original file relating to (i) Visit of American Fleet 1908; (ii) Opening of Trans-Australia Railway 1912; (iii) Laying of Foundation Stone, Federal Capital 1913.

Subseries. Electoral - Box 5

Item number 3255-3649

1 original file comprising 3 folders and some loose papers, 1912-13. Electoral Reform (1 folder compiled 1967)

Subseries. Local Darwin matters, 1910-12 - Box 5

Item number 3650-3848

Subseries. Commonwealth Labor Conference, 1908 - Box 5

Item number 3849-3869

Official report (1 folder compiled 1967)

Subseries. Old Age Pensions - Box 5

Item number 3870-3874

(1 folder compiled 1967)

Subseries. Banking - Box 5

Item number 3875-3919

Mainly papers concerning Commonwealth Bank. (1 folder compiled 1967)

Subseries. Miscellaneous correspondence - Box 6

Item numbers 3920-4493

Ministerial outward letter book 1915-16 (Re-restricted by J.T. 8 February 1980). General Correspondence (original file). Congratulatory letters on O'Malley's election 1910 and 1913 (original file). Letters between O'Malley and R.J. Kelly 1911-1913 (original file). Letters between O'Malley and R.J. Kelly 1911-1913 (original file). O'Malley's letters to Edward O'Malley 1910-13 (original file). Correspondence concerning J.H. Catts 1912 (original file). O'Malley's letter to T.G. Farrell 1913 (original file)

Subseries. Other miscellaneous papers - Box 6

Item number 4494-4934

1 original file ‘Miscellaneous papers'. 2 more folders (compiled 1967). 1 folder of printed parliamentary papers (compiled 1967)

Series 2. Correspondence

Item number 4935-7365

Subseries. Letters, telegrams, postcards, 1888-1955 - Box 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

Item number 4935-6764

Letters to O'Malley and copies of letters O'Malley mainly concerning early Commonwealth politics, the foundation of the Commonwealth Bank and family matters. A large number of letters between O'Malley and L.C. Jauncey are included. The section also contains some of Mrs O'Malley's correspondence, mainly with her relative, the Horton family, in New Zealand. (Chronologically arranged)

Subseries. Christmas cards, 1905-1955

Item number 7030-7049

(Chronologically arranged)

Subseries. Birthday and ‘Get Well' cards - Box 12

Item number 7030-7049

(Mostly undated)

Subseries. Sympathy cards - Box 12

Item number 7050-7100

Received by Mrs O'Malley on the death of her husband December 1953.

Subseries. Invitations, 1901-1953

Item number 7101-7365

(chronologically arranged)

Series 3. Diaries, 1910-1953

Item number 7366-7411

Small yearly appointment books in which O'Malley recorded not only appointments but other daily events for the years 1910-23; August 1924-January 1925; 1925-1938; 1940; 1942-43. Also larger ‘commercial' diaries - with same sorts of entries - for the years 1939; 1943 (almost identical entries to smaller diary of same date); 1944-53.

Series 4. Miscellaneous Notes and Papers

Item number 7431-8703

Subseries. Notebooks - Box 14

Item number 7431-7439

Subseries. Typescript and Manuscript copies and drafts of O'Malley's speeches and articles - Box 14, 15

Item number 7440-8286

Subseries. Other papers - Box 15

Item number 8287-8609

Articles by persons other than O'Malley, extracts from parliamentary debates, circulars.

Subseries. Miscellaneous notes - Box 15

Item number 8610-8703

Notes of addresses, doctor's prescriptions, cookery recipes, envelopes etc

Series 5. Business and Legal Papers

Item number 8704-8989

Subseries. Papers concerning Greater Sydney Development Association - Box 15

Item number 8704-8809

Mainly Directors' reports and Chairmen's' addresses 1912-1953

Subseries. Paper concerning O'Malley and his wife's Income Tax Return, 1913-1949 - Box 15, 16

Item number 8810-8989

(chronologically arranged)

Subseries. Savings Bank Books - Box 16

Item number 8990-9019

King O'Malley's books 1887, 1913-23, 1947-52. Mrs O'Malley's books 1917, 1924-49. Joint Accounts 1917

Subseries. Bills and Reports, 1905-1948 - Box 16

Item number 9020-9048

(chronologically arranged)

Subseries. Cheques and Promissory Notes, 1905-1932 - Box 16

Item number 9049-9076

(chronologically arranged)

Subseries. Miscellaneous business papers - Box 16

Item number 9077-9083

Subseries. Legal papers and other documents such as permits, certificates etc. - Box 16

Item number 9084-9151

Subseries. Cheque butts - Box 17, 18

Item number 9152-9544

Series 6. Printed Matter

Item number 9545-10519

Subseries. O'Malley's speeches and articles - Box 18

Item number 9545-9728

Subseries. Newspaper cuttings - Box 19, 20, Folio-Box Folio Box (No. ?), Folio-Box Folio Box (No. ?)

Item number 9729-9771

These include both volume of cuttings and loose cuttings. The volumes, the contents of which are not in chronological order, run as follows: (i) c. 1887-1894; (ii) 1888-1935, mostly 1915-1916; (iii) 1900-1902; (iv) 1900-1936; (v) 1906; (vi) 1912-1913, with index; (vii) 1913, with final page 1933, with index; (viii) 1934 - review of L.C. Jauncey's Australia's Government Bank; (ix) Small notebook of cuttings - undated but pencilled note in back 1922.

Loose cuttings are for the years 1892, 1903-1955 (arranged according to year)

Subseries. Magazines and Newspapers - Box 20, 21, 22

Item number 9772-10322

Anapress September, 1949. Bentleigh Standard December 23, 1953. Cobbers January 1, 1953. House News July - August 1943. Labor Call, The October 23, 1930; November 13, 1930; July 30, 1931 (3 copies) May 26, 1932 (2 copies); June 2 1932 (2 copies); December 9, 1949; October 30, 1952. Lone Hand, The May, 1913. New Economics, The March 30, 1934. New Era, The May 3, 1940. People, December 20, 1950. Pix, September 27, 1941. Australian Post, The June, 9 1949; January 25, 1951. Punch, June 16, 1910. Queanbeyan Age, The May 8, 1936. Salt, September 14, 1942; May 7, 1945; April 22, 1946. Table Talk May, 12 1927; May 12, 1927 (Canberra issue).

Subseries. Books and pamphlets - Box 22

Item number 10352-10359

Trans-Australian Railway (1912). Concerning Canberra (1936, 2 copies). An Open Letter entitled the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, by W.G. Higgs (1938). Big battle by the Hon King O'Malley Founder of Commonwealth Bank of Australia to save it from Destruction by the Political Tools of Capitalism (1939, 2 copies). The Commonwealth Bank: the facts of its creation, by O'Malley (n.d.). Department of Home Affairs Schedule No 4 (1939 an inscribed and bound copy. Bible - inscribed personal copy received on opening of Commonwealth Parliament 1901.

Subseries. Miscellaneous speeches, Election Manifestoes Etc - Box 22

Item number 10360-10423

Subseries. Printed cards - Box 22

Item number 10424-10475

Tickets and entrée cards, visiting and business cards

Subseries. Souvenirs, programs, menus,1901-53 - Box 22

Item number 10476-10519

Series 7. Pictorial

Subseries. Photographs - Box 22, Folio-Box Folio Box (No. ?)

Item number 10520-10857 (10857 Folio Run).

Mainly photographs of O'Malley and people connected with him. The collection also includes a volume of large photographs of the foundation ceremony in Canberra.

Subseries. Large portraits, cartoons etc

Note: these are found in the Library's print collection.

Series 8. Miscellaneous

Subseries. Masonic Apron - Box 22, Folio-Box Folio Box (No. ?)

Item number 10858


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