Guide to the Papers of Sir Josiah Symon

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MS 1736

National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record

Collection Summary

Creator
Symon, Josiah Henry, Sir, 1846-1934
Title
Papers of Sir Josiah Symon
Date Range
1820-1959 (bulk 1860s-1930s)
Collection Number
MS 1736
Extent
14.22 metres (53 archive boxes + 4 medium folio boxes + 2 large folio boxes + 3 small folio boxes + 1 archive box in folio run)
Language of Materials
English
Repository
NLA
Sponsor
This finding aid was created by the Manuscripts Branch of the National Library of Australia with the assistance of the Nora Heysen Bequest.

Introduction

Scope and Contents

Correspondence, memoranda, notes, speeches, press cuttings, ephemera and publications covering every phase of Symon's life: his legal practice, political career in South Australia and his involvement in the Federal Conventions and Federation. The papers also reflect his literary, educational, social and philanthropic interests and his association with the Universities of Sydney and Adelaide and the South Australian State Library.

Correspondents include Richard Baker, Edmund Barton, J. Langdon Bonython, James Boucaut, Lord Bruce, Joseph Chamberlain, J. C. Clemons, Joseph Cook, William Cullen, Alfred Deakin, Hugh Denison, John Downer, Andrew Fisher, John Forrest, Simon Fraser, Henry L. Galway, Robert Garran, Thomas Glassey, David Gordon, John Gordon, Lord Gowrie, Albert J. Gould, Samuel Griffith, Henry Gilbert, Ernest Holme, W. M. Hughes, William Irvine, Isaac Isaacs, C. C. Kingston, John Latham, Sidney Lee, Charles Lucas, P. J. Lynch, Mungo MacCallum, Edward Mitchell, George Murray, J. C. Neild, Alice Northcote, Lord Novar, R. E. O'Connor, George Pearce, George Pitt, Grenfell Price, E. Pulsford, H. R. Purnell, George Reid, William Sowden and Samuel Way.

Much of Symon's correspondence is contained in letterbooks. Press cuttings have often been placed in commonplace books.

Conditions Governing Access

Available for research. Not for loan.

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Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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 Sir Josiah Symon, National Library of Australia, MS 1736, [series and/or file number]'.

Provenance

The papers were received by the Library between 1966 and 1968 from Sir Josiah Symon's literary executor and daughter, Miss L. K. (Kilmeny) Symon.

In December 1980 Sir Josiah's Commonwealth railway life pass was donated to the Library by the State Library of South Australia on behalf of a donor who was living in the house previously owned by Kilmeny Symon and had found the pass in a crack in the flooring.

Existence and Location of Copies

Commonplace book No 14 covering political and general matters, 1904-1905 is available on microfilm (mfm G 28374).

Photographic material and objects held in the Library's Pictures Collection are listed in the Library's catalogue.

Arrangement

The Library has arranged the Symon Papers into 32 series, each of which has been described in this finding aid.

During the 2008 revision of the finding aid a small instalment received in 1980 was added to Series 21.

Name Index to Correspondence

A name index to correspondence has also been produced; refer to the attached document (under the Related Documentation tab).

Biographical Note

Josiah Henry Symon, son of James and Elizabeth Symon, was born in Wick, Scotland, on 27 September, 1846. He received his early education at Stirling High School and at Moray Training College, Edinburgh.

After emigrating to South Australia in 1866 Symon commenced employment at his cousin's law practice in Mt Gambier, and completed his studies in the employment of Way and Brook, in Adelaide, being called to the Bar in 1871. Upon the death of Brook he joined S. J. Way in partnership, eventually purchasing the business in 1876 when Samuel Way was elevated to the Bench. Symon was widely accepted as the leader of the Adelaide Bar until his retirement in 1923.

In March 1881 he was appointed Attorney-General in South Australia's short-lived Morgan Government. He was elected as the member for Sturt in the House of Assembly a few weeks later and retained that position until 1887, when he unsuccessfully contested the constituency of Victoria.

On 8 December, 1881, Symon married Mary Eleanor Cowle. They had five sons and seven daughters, two of whom died in infancy.

After leaving State politics, Symon devoted himself to the growing movement for Federation, becoming President of both the South Australian Federation League and the Commonwealth League. He was elected a member of the South Australian delegation to the Australasian Federal Convention, 1897-1898, and served as Chairman of its Judiciary Committee. In recognition of his work towards Federation he received a knighthood (KCMG) in 1901.

Elected to the Senate in 1901 to represent South Australia, Symon was soon recognised as free trade leader on tariff matters. He held the portfolio of Attorney-General in the Free Trade - Protectionist Reid - McLean Coalition Government, 1904-1905. In 1909 he stood out from the arrangement under which the Protectionists and Free Traders came together to become what was known for a time as the Fusion and later as the Liberal Party. Refusing to sign the Liberal Movement manifesto he contested the 1913 Senate elections as an independent and was defeated. He then returned to his legal practice which he had maintained while in politics.

Symon is also remembered as a philanthropist. He was a member of the Council of the University of Adelaide, 1897-1901, and in 1926 gave the University £10,000 to establish the Lady Symon Building for Women students. His law library was given to the University of Adelaide Law School, and in addition he established scholarships at the University of Sydney, Scotch College, Adelaide and the High School at Stirling, Scotland. In 1927 Sir Josiah gave £1,500 to the Australian Inland Mission to build the Eleanor Symon Hospital at Innamincka, and later he helped establish the Northcote Rest Home for Mothers and Babies.

His personal library of over 10,000 volumes was bequeathed to the State Library of South Australia on condition it was kept intact as it had been at 'Manoah', his home in the Adelaide Hills.

Shakespeare the Englishman, which was published in 1929, incorporated addresses given by Sir Josiah, who was held in high regard as a Shakespearean scholar.

'Manoah', his stately home, was surrounded by grazing lands which were worked as a stock property. 'Auldana', a vineyard at Magill, was another Symon property.

Sir Josiah Symon died on 29th March, 1934, and was accorded a State funeral. His wife, five sons and five daughters survived him.

Biographical Reference(s)

Sir Josiah Symon, Australian Dictionary of Biography online, http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A120174b.htm

Item Descriptions

Series 1. General correspondence, 1858-1938

Personal correspondence and letter books arranged chronologically. Correspondents include J. Charles Genders, Thomas Glassey, Fred Johns, Sir Everard im Thurn, Sir Sidney Lee, E. M. Lister, Sir Charles Lucas, Lady Helen Novar, Rev. F. Slaney-Poole, William Sowden and Sir Edward Wallington. Further correspondence relating to particular periods of Symon's career, or particular topics, is to be found in later series.

General correspondence, 1862-1866 (File 1)

Comprises Items 1-30

General correspondence, 1858-1869 (File 2)

Comprises Items 31-101

General correspondence, 1869-1872 (File 3)

Comprises Items 101a-164b

General correspondence, 1873-1875 (File 4)

Comprises Items 165a-229c

General correspondence, 1876-1878 (File 5)

Comprises Items 230-336

General correspondence, 1878-1879 (File 6)

Comprises Items 337-417

General correspondence, 1880 (File 7)

Comprises Items 418-501

General correspondence, 1881 (File 8)

Many letters undated

Comprises Items 502-565

General correspondence, 1882-1890 (File 9)

Comprises Items 566-612a

Letter book, April 1880-October 1990 (File 10)

Comprises Item 613

General correspondence, 1891-1892 (File 11)

Mainly an account of a visit to India by Symon in 1892

Comprises Items 614-719

General correspondence, 1892-1893 (File 12)

Comprises Items 720-824

Letter book, October 1890-February 1894 (File 13)

Comprises Item 825

General correspondence, 1894-1898 (File 14)

Comprises Items 826-884b

Letter book, February 1894-September 1898 (File 15)

Comprises Item 885

Letter book, January 1897-January 1898 (File 16)

Comprises Item 886

Letter book, January 1898-January 1900 (File 17)

Comprises Item 887

General correspondence, 1898-1900 (File 18)

Comprises Items 888-919

Letter book, January 1900-February 1901 (File 19)

Comprises Item 920

General correspondence, 1901-1902 (File 20)

Comprises Items 921-964

Letter book, February 1901-December 1902 (File 21)

Comprises Item 965

General correspondence, 1903-1904 (File 22)

Comprises Items 966-1042

Letter book, December 1902-August 1904 (File 23)

Comprises Item 1043

Letter book, August 1904-June 1905 (File 24)

Comprises Item 1044

General correspondence, 1905 (File 25)

Comprises Item 1045-1073

Letter book, June 1905-June 1906 (File 26)

Comprises Item 1074

General correspondence, January 1906-June 1907 (File 27)

Comprises Items 1075-1150

General correspondence, July-December 1907 (File 28)

Comprises Items 1151-1198

General correspondence, 1907 (File 29)

Mainly undated letters

Comprises Items 1199-1275

Letter book, June 1906-August 1907 (File 30)

Comprises Item 1276

Letter book, August 1907-July 1908 (File 31)

Comprises Item 1277

General correspondence, January 1908-June 1909 (File 32)

Comprises Items 1278-1324

General correspondence, July-September 1909 (File 33)

Includes undated correspondence

Comprises Items 1325-1472

Letter book, July 1908-July 1909 (File 34)

Comprises Item 1473

General correspondence, August 1909-October 1910 (File 35)

Comprises Items 1474-1525

Letter book, August 1909-July 1910 (File 36)

Comprises Item 1526

Letter book, July 1910-January 1912 (File 37)

Comprises Items 1527

General correspondence, 1911 (File 38)

Comprises Items 1528-1586

General correspondence, January-May 1912 (File 39)

Comprises Items 1587-1646

General correspondence, May-December 1912 (File 40)

Comprises Items 1647-1684

Letter book, January-December 1912 (File 41)

Comprises Item 1685

Letter book, 1881-1917 (File 42)

Comprises Item 1686

Letter book, December 1912-December 1913 (File 43)

Comprises Item 1687

General correspondence, 1913 (File 44)

Comprises Items 1688-1731

General correspondence, 1914 (File 45)

Comprises Items 1732-1807

General correspondence, January-May 1915 (File 46)

Comprises Items 1808-1847

General correspondence, June-December 1915 (File 47)

Comprises Items 1848-1915

Letter book, December 1913-August 1915 (File 48)

Comprises Item 1916

General correspondence, January-July 1916 (File 49)

Comprises Items 1917-1958

General correspondence, August-December 1916 (File 50)

Comprises Items 1959-2018

Letter book, August 1915-December 1916 (File 51)

Comprises Item 2019

General correspondence, January 1917-January 1918 (File 52)

Comprises Items 2020-2103

Letter book, December 1916-July 1917 (File 53)

Comprises Item 2104

General correspondence, January-June 1918 (File 54)

Comprises items 2105-2154

General correspondence, July-December 1918 (File 55)

Comprises Items 2155-2234

General correspondence, 1919 (File 56)

Comprises Items 2235-2276a

Letter book, July 1918-August 1920 (File 57)

Comprises Items 2277

General correspondence, 1920 (File 58)

Comprises Items 2278-2356

General correspondence, January-August 1921 (File 59)

Includes a copy of the summary of proceedings and documents from the Conference of Prime Ministers and Representatives of the United Kingdom, the Dominions and India (June-August 1921)

Comprises Items 2357-2426

General correspondence, September-December 1921 (File 60)

Comprises Items 2427-2495

General correspondence, January-June 1922 (File 61)

Comprises Items 2496-2544

General correspondence, July-December 1922 (File 62)

Comprises Items 2545-2596

General correspondence, January-June 1923 (File 63)

Includes an article by Symon 'Australia and the Privy Council' in the Journal of Comparative Legislation and International Law, November 1922

Comprises Items 2597-2634

General correspondence, August-December 1923 (File 64)

Comprises Items 2635-2683

Letter book, August 1920-March 1923 (File 65)

Comprises Item 2684

General correspondence, 1924 (File 66)

Comprises Items 2685-2781

General correspondence, January-August 1925 (File 67)

Comprises Items 2782-2872

General correspondence, September-December 1925 (File 68)

Comprises Items 2873-2969

General correspondence, January-May 1926 (File 69)

Comprises Items 2970-3090

General correspondence, May-October 1926 (File 70)

Comprises Items 3091-3222

General correspondence, October-December 1926 (File 71)

Comprises Items 3223-3257

General correspondence, January-June 1927 (File 72)

Comprises Items 3258-3361

General correspondence, July-December 1927 (File 73)

Comprises Items 3362-3449

General correspondence, January-June 1928 (File 74)

Comprises Items 3450-3557

General correspondence, July-December 1928 (File 75)

Comprises Items 3558-3675

General correspondence, January-July 1929 (File 76)

Comprises Items 3676-3778

General correspondence, August-October 1929 (File 77)

Comprises Items 3779-3858

General correspondence, November-December 1929 (File 78)

Comprises Items 3859-3963

General correspondence, January-February 1930 (File 79)

Comprises Items 3964-4036

General correspondence, March-May 1930 (File 80)

Comprises Items 4037-4147

General correspondence, June 1930 (File 81)

Comprises Items 4148-4208

General correspondence, July-August 1930 (File 82)

Comprises Items 4209-4267

General correspondence, September-October 1930 (File 83)

Comprises Items 4268-4369

General correspondence, November-December 1930 (File 84)

Comprises Items 4370-4434

General correspondence, January 1931 (File 85)

Comprises Items 4435-4499

General correspondence, February 1931 (File 86)

Comprises Items 4500-4561

General correspondence, March-April 1931 (File 87)

Comprises Items 4562-4637

General correspondence, May-July 1931 (File 88)

Comprises Items 4638-4705

General correspondence, August-September 1931 (File 89)

Comprises Items 4706-4805

General correspondence, October-November 1931 (File 90)

Comprises Items 4806-4857

General correspondence, December 1931 (File 91)

Comprises Items 4858-4916

General correspondence, January 1932 (File 92)

Comprises Items 4917-4970

General correspondence, February 1932 (File 93)

Comprises Items 4971-5005

General correspondence, March 1932 (File 94)

Comprises Items 5006-5051

General correspondence, April-May 1932 (File 95)

Comprises Items 5052-5111

General correspondence, June-July 1932 (File 96)

Comprises Items 5112-5184

General correspondence, August-October 1932 (File 97)

Comprises Items 5185-5281

General correspondence, November-December 1932 (File 98)

Comprises Items 5282-5360

General correspondence, April 1925-April 1933 (File 99)

Mainly letters for the period January-April 1933. Includes a letter dated April 1925 (Item 5434)

Comprises Items 5361-5437

General correspondence, May-August 1933 (File 100)

Comprises Items 5438-5511

General correspondence, September-December 1933 (File 101)

Comprises Items 5512-5595

General correspondence, 1934-1938 (File 102)

Mainly letters for the period January-August 1934. Includes two miscellaneous letters dated 1935 and 1938

Comprises Items 5596-5633

Series 2. Diaries and notebooks, 1861-1916

Diaries and notebooks kept by Symon including the diary of his voyage to Australia in 1866.

Diary, 1866 (File 1)

Original diary and transcript of Symon's voyage to Australia on the St Vincent

Comprises Items 1-56

Diaries, 1863-1870 (File 2)

Includes diaries for 1863-1864 and 1867-1870

Comprises Items 57-61

Diaries, 1876-1916 (File 3)

Includes diaries for 1876, 1907, 1911 and 1912-1916

Comprises Items 62-65

Notebook, 1863-1864 (File 4)

Comprises Item 66

Notebooks, 1866-1912 (File 5)

Comprises Items 67-73

Notebooks, 1861-1876 (File 6)

Includes student notebooks and an undated index (possibly belonging to one of the commonplace books in Series 3)

Comprises Items 74-77

Series 3. Press cuttings, 1850-1942

Press cuttings for the period 1850-1942 (bulk 1860s-1930s) in book form or loose. Other cuttings appear throughout the collection in their relevant series.

There are 27 bound scrapbooks or commonplace books in the series. They have been listed according to subjects. A number of the books also contain indexes.

In a foreword to the commonplace books Symon wrote: 'The scrap or commonplace books contain newspaper cuttings, pamphlets, memoranda, articles on political, legal, literary and personal subjects in twenty seven volumes of which three are early law reports and one the war. There are many speeches and addresses on Imperial subjects and in the Imperial Parliament and on Federation and the early history, both of South Australia and the Commonwealth.'

Political and general, 1862-1878 (File 1)

Comprises Item 1

Political and general, 1869-1896 (File 2)

Comprises Item 2

Legal, political and general, 1866-1916 (File 3)

Index included

Comprises Item 3

Political and general, 1869-1905 (File 4)

Index included

Comprises Item 4

Shakespeare and general, 1875-1921 (File 5)

Index included

Comprises Item 5

Federation and personal, 1891-1897 (File 6)

Index included

Comprises Item 6

General, 1898-1908 (File 7)

Comprises Item 7

Federation and personal, 1896-1900 (File 8)

Index included

Comprises Item 8

Federation and personal, 1900-1901 (File 9)

Index included

Comprises Item 9

Federation and personal, 1892-1903 (File 10)

Index included

Comprises Item 10

Free trade and elections, 1900-1903 (File 11)

Index included

Comprises Item 11

Political and general, 1889-1909 (File 12)

Index included

Comprises Item 12

Political and general, 1906-1911 (File 13)

Index included

Comprises Item 13

Political and general, November 1903-1906 (File 14)

Index included

Comprises Item 14

Political and general, 1903-1924 (File 15)

Index included

Comprises Item 15

Early law reports: Supreme Court, 1873-1894 (File 16)

Comprises Item 16

Early law reports, 1890-1900 (File 17)

Comprises Item 17

War and general, 1888-1942 (File 18)

Mainly cuttings 1888-1929. Loose material in front of the volume includes a copy of Separation for Federation: manifesto of Eastern Goldfields Reform League of Western Australia (1900)

Also included is correspondence between Kilmeny Symon (Symons' daughter) and the National Gallery of South Australia (1940)

Comprises Item 19

Law and law reports, 1871-1918 (File 19)

Index included

Comprises Item 19

Imperial Conference, March-May 1907 (File 20)

Imperial Conference, April-July 1907 (File 20a)

Political and general, 1907-1917 (File 21)

Index included

Comprises Item 21

War and general, 1914-1917 (File 22)

Comprises Item 22

General, 1896-1910 (File 23)

General, 1925-1931 (File 24)

Includes a 1912 cutting

Comprises Item 24

Literary: kept by L. K. Symon, 1912-1914 (File 25)

Literary: kept by L. K. Symon, 1907-1911 (File 26)

General: kept by A. W. Piper, 1887-1898 (File 27)

Press cuttings and notes, 1865-1926 (File 28)

Consists of an exercise book entitled 'Commonplace book by J. H. Symon' commenced in 1865 containing cuttings, notes and poetry

Item unnumbered

Press cuttings, 1850-1865 (File 29)

Pages from two books of press cuttings. Both books are missing their covers

Items unnumbered

Press cuttings, 1895-1933 (File 30)

Items unnumbered

Press cuttings, 1883-1927 (File 31)

Items unnumbered

Press cuttings, 1914-1930 (File 32)

Items unnumbered

Reprint from The Register, 18 June 1906 (File 33)

Includes a special supplement: a facsimile of the first issue of the South Australian Gazette and Colonial Register , 18 June 1836

Items unnumbered

Press cuttings, 1871-1942 (File 34)

Mainly cuttings on Charles Dickens, 1871-1909. Includes a miscellaneous 1942 cutting

Items unnumbered

Press cuttings, 1924-1934 (File 35)

Items unnumbered

Press cuttings, 1891-1938 (File 36)

Items unnumbered

Press cuttings, 1895-1934 (File 37)

Items unnumbered

Press cuttings, 1913-1933 (File 38)

Items unnumbered

Press cuttings, 1905-1937 (File 39)

Items unnumbered

Press cuttings, 1925-1933 (File 40)

Cuttings on the north-south railway

Press cuttings, 1923-1939 (File 41)

Cuttings on Alfred Deakin including reviews of Alfred Deakin: a sketch by Walter Murdoch

Items unnumbered

Sydney Mail, 5 January 1901 (File 42)

Item unnumbered

Press cuttings, May-June 1932 (File 43)

Series of articles by Robert Garran

Items unnumbered

Sydney Morning Herald, 9 May 1927 (File 44)

Items unnumbered

British newspapers, May 1926 (File 45)

Issues of the Times and the British Gazette

Items unnumbered

Press cuttings, February-May 1927 (File 46)

Includes visit of Duke and Duchess of York for the opening of Parliament House, Canberra

Commemorative issue of the Canberra Times, 9 May 1927 (File 47)

Item unnumbered

Newspapers, May 1927 (File 48)

Relating to the opening of Parliament House, Canberra

Press cuttings, 1921-1929 (File 49)

Items unnumbered

Newspapers, May 1927 (File 50)

Items unnumbered

Newspapers, 1914-1927 (File 51)

Consists of the London Times (1914) and Sydney Morning Herald (1927)

Items unnumbered

Canberra supplement to the Sydney Morning Herald, 9 May 1927 (File 52)

Item unnumbered

Sydney Morning Herald, 9 May 1927 (File 53)

Item unnumbered

Section of the Adelaide Advertiser, 10 May 1927 (File 54)

Item unnumbered

Brisbane Daily Mail, 9 May 1927 (File 55)

Item unnumbered

Sydney Morning Herald, 9 May 1927 (File 56)

Item unnumbered

Sydney Morning Herald, 10 May 1927 (File 57)

Item unnumbered

Newspapers, 1926-1927 (File 58)

Items unnumbered

Newspapers, May 1927 (File 59)

Relating to the opening of Parliament House, Canberra

Press cuttings, 1886-1932 (File 60)

Items unnumbered

Newspapers and press cuttings, 1925-1932 (File 61)

Items unnumbered

Press cuttings from the London Times, 1892-1898 (File 62)

Includes a facsimile proclamation of the establishment of the colony of South Australia (28 December 1836) which appeared in the South Australian Register , 28 December 1892

Series 4. Printed material, 1845-1951

A miscellaneous collection of parliamentary papers, reports, pamphlets, periodicals and newspapers, on a wide variety of subjects. Other printed items have been placed in their relevant subject series.

Symon's personal library from his home at 'Manoah' was donated to the State Library of South Australia.

Comprises Folders 1-43 (Items 1-745).

Series 5. Legal practice, 1855-1928

Symon practised law in South Australia from 1867 until he retired in 1923. He was called to the Bar in 1871 and became a QC in 1881. This series is arranged chronologically and contains partnership agreements, accounts, correspondence with J. S. Way, L. W. Blakewell, E. E. Cleland, H. V. Rounsevell, William Symon, and others, briefs and legal opinions. Also included are papers concerning the cases of Bonney (1889), Shippan (1902), Joseph Vardon (1907) and Gillett (1923).

Correspondence, memorandum and legal papers, 1866-1880 (File 1)

Comprises Items 1-51

Correspondence, memorandum and legal papers, 1882-1898 (File 2)

Comprises Items 52-78

Accounts, 1873-1885 (File 3)

Comprises Items 79-118

Accounts, 1885-1889 (File 4)

Comprises Items 119-144

Accounts and correspondence, 1898-1910 (File 5)

Comprises Items 145-194

Accounts, correspondence and legal papers, 1897-1900 (File 6)

Comprises Items 195-268

Correspondence, 1898-1902 (File 7)

Comprises Items 269-310

Correspondence, 1907-1920 (File 8)

Comprises Items 311-382

Correspondence and legal papers, 1881-1922 (File 9)

Comprises Items 383-435

Correspondence, notes and legal papers, 1916 (File 10)

Comprises Items 436-489

Legal papers, 1916 (File 11)

Comprises Items 490-540

Correspondence, notes and legal papers, 1916-1917 (File 12)

Comprises Items 541-623

Legal papers, 1917 (File 13)

Comprises Items 624-635

Correspondence and legal papers, 1886-1889 (File 14)

Comprises Items 636-691

Invoices, 1906-1915 (File 15)

Comprises Items 692-699

Correspondence and legal papers, 1915-1918 (File 16)

Comprises Items 700-749

Correspondence, drafts, notes and legal papers, 1919-1923 (File 17)

Includes drafts of an article 'Australia and the Privy Council'

Comprises Items 750-821

Correspondence, receipts for certificate to practice, notes and other legal papers, 1917-1928 (File 18)

Comprises Items 822-851

Correspondence and legal papers, 1855-1878 (File 19)

Comprises Items 852-924

Notes, 1881-1889 (File 20)

Includes a copy of past and present land systems of South Australia (1881)

Comprises Items 925-943

Papers relating to the Bonney case, 1889 (File 21_22)

Comprises Items 944-1026

Press cuttings relating to the Bonney case, 1889 (File 23)

Comprises Items 1027-1031

Correspondence, legal papers and printed material, 1867-1896 (File 24)

Comprises Items 1032-1084

Correspondence, notes, telegrams and legal papers, 1897-1901 (File 25)

Comprises Items 1085-1131

Notes and legal papers, 1902-1908 (File 26)

Comprises Items 1132-1166

Notes, opinions and other legal papers, n.d. (File 27)

Comprises Items 1167-1240

Notes and other legal papers, 1893 (File 28)

Comprises Items 1241-1275

Notes and other legal papers, 1883-1900s (File 29)

Comprises Items 1276-1336

Notes and other legal papers, 1901 (File 30)

Comprises Items 1337-1417

Legal papers relating to the Shippan case, 1902 (File 31_33)

Comprises Items 1418-1520

Legal papers relating to the George White estate, 1905 (File 34)

Comprises Items 1521-1580

Legal papers relating to the George White estate, 1906-1907 (File 35)

Comprises Items 1581-1595

Legal papers relating to the George White estate, 1904-1907 (File 36)

Comprises Items 1596-1645

Legal papers relating to the Vardon case, 1907 (File 37_40)

Comprises Items 1646-2044

Legal papers relating to arbitration between the Port Adelaide Corporation and the South Australian Company, 1913-1914 (File 41)

Comprises Items 2045-2115

Legal papers relating to arbitration between the South Australian Company and the South Australian Harbors Board, 1915-1919 (File 42)

Comprises Items 2116-2309

Legal papers relating to arbitration between the South Australian Company and the South Australian Harbors Board, 1920-1921 (File 43)

Comprises Items 2310-2417

Legal papers relating to arbitration between the South Australian Company and the South Australian Harbors Board, 1905-1919 (File 44)

Comprises Items 2418-2515

Legal papers relating to arbitration between the South Australian Company and the South Australian Harbors Board, 1918 (File 45)

Comprises Items 2516-2617

Legal papers relating to arbitration between the South Australian Company and the South Australian Harbors Board, 1920-1921 (File 46)

Comprises Items 2618-2758

Legal papers relating to arbitration between the South Australian Company and the South Australian Harbors Board, 1921? (File 47)

Comprises Items 2759-2849

Correspondence, notes and legal papers, 1886-1919 (File 48)

Bulk of material 1918-1919. Includes a copy of a Bill to amend the provision for the future Government of Ireland (1866)

Comprises Items 2850-2893

Legal papers relating to a disputed boundary case between the South Australian and Victorian Governments, 1913 (File 49)

Comprises Items 2894-2942

Legal papers relating to a disputed boundary case between the South Australian and Victorian Governments, 1913? (File 50)

Mainly notes from previous cases involving boundary disputes

Comprises Items 2943-3019

Legal papers relating to a disputed boundary case between the South Australian and Victorian Governments, 1877-1913? (File 51)

Includes 1877 South Australian parliamentary paper outlining the original terms of reference and petition

Comprises Items 3020-3067

Legal papers relating to the estate of R. Barr Smith and an opinion for a case involving the Chateau Tanunda Company, 1916 (File 52)

Comprises Items 3068-3115

Miscellaneous legal papers, 1919-1922 (File 53)

Includes the will of Charles Ernest Cowle and an income tax case for Colton, Palmer and Preston Limited

Comprises Items 3116-3186

Correspondence and opinions relating to a case between News Limited and Mr J. E. Davidson, 1923 (File 54)

Comprises Items 3187-3223

Correspondence and legal papers relating to the estate of J. E. Gillett, 1923-1924 (File 55)

Comprises Items 3224-3301

An opinion on a case involving T. S. Backhouse, 1924 (File 56)

Comprises Items 3302-3318

Miscellaneous correspondence, legal papers, notes and press clippings, 1924-1927 (File 57)

Comprises Items 3319-3359

Miscellaneous legal papers, notes and press clippings, 1926-1928 (File 58)

Includes clippings on the Bute murder trial

Comprises Items 3360-3415

Legal papers relating to the Thiele case, 1927-1928 (File 59)

Also includes papers relating to a case between F. V. Smith and defendants E. K. Thomas and R. T. Foster

Comprises Items 3416-3522

Series 6. Member of the House of Assembly, South Australia, 1875-1928

Symon was a member of the South Australian House of Assembly from 1881-1887. The series contains a small amount of correspondence with C. C. Kingston, William Morgan and John Colton. It also includes printed matter and press cuttings from this period, when Symon was member for Sturt and Attorney-General in the Morgan Ministry of 1881.

There is a folder of correspondence concerning Bagot's election in 1884 for the Seat of Victoria. A copy of the letter of 1884 in which Symon declines a seat on the Bench of the Supreme Court is also included here.

Correspondence, notes and printed material, 1875-1928 (File 1)

Includes speeches by Symon. Material dates mainly from 1875-1894 with a 1928 newscutting included in the folder

Comprises Items 1-31

Correspondence and telegrams, 1884 (File 2)

Comprises Items 32-84

Correspondence and telegrams, 1884-1886 (File 3)

Comprises Items 85-133

Correspondence, notes and printed material, 1884-1887 (File 4)

Comprises Items 134-190

Series 7. House of Assembly election, South Australia, 1887

In 1887 Symon unsuccessfully contested the election for the district of Victoria on the platform of free trade, and opposition to the payment of members. Correspondence with Robert Homburg, John Riddoch, Richard Allen and others, printed material and press cuttings relating to his election campaign are included in the series.

Correspondence, notes and telegrams, 1887 (File 1)

Comprises Items 1-42

Correspondence, notes, telegrams and electoral leaflets, 1887 (File 2)

Comprises Items 43-97

Pages from the Border Watch newspaper, April 1887 (File 3)

Comprises Items 98-99

Series 8. Political activities, 1889-1897

During the period 1887-1987 Symon resisted many requests to re-enter State Parliament. He was chosen in 1894 as President of the Australasian Federation League of South Australia, and afterwards President of the Commonwealth League. His correspondents include C. C. Kingston, John Downer, Thomas Playford, Edmund Barton and William B. Rounsevell.

Correspondence, 1889-1993 (File 1)

Comprises Items 1-51

Correspondence, 1893 (File 2)

Also includes an address by Symon to the Young South Australian Patriotic Association, 7 September 1893

Comprises Items 52-86

Correspondence and notes, 1893 (File 3)

Comprises Items 87-131

Correspondence, 1894 (File 4)

Comprises Items 132-163

Newscuttings relating to the Crown Lands Amendment Bill and matters between Symon and Charles Kingston (Attorney-General), 1893 (File 5)

Comprises Items 164-212

Correspondence and notes, 1895-1896 (File 6)

Includes a copy of Rules of the Australasian Federation League (1885)

Comprises Items 213-285

Miscellaneous papers and printed material, 1890-1897 (File 7)

Includes petitions from electors asking Symons to stand for the Legislative Council and material relating to the Australasian Federation League

Also includes minutes of meetings relating to the organisation of a banquet in honour of Sir Henry Parkes and associated epehemera

Comprises Items 286-337

Roll of the National Australasian Convention which met in Sydney, 2 March 1891 (File 8)

Roll was presented to Symon by John Gordon, one of the South Australian delegates, in 1914

Comprises Item 338

Printed material, 1891-1895 (File 9)

Includes reports relating to the Australasian Federation League and the National Australasian Convention

Also includes copies of various parliamentary bills for the establishment of the Commonwealth

Comprises Items 339-400

Printed material, 1894-1896 (File 10)

Issues of the Commonwealth: the official organ of the Australasian Federation League , Vol 1, Nos 1-12 (1894-1895)

Also includes press clippings on the Adelaide Hospital and the Gruber-Kingston plot (1896)

Comprises Items 401-511

Series 9. Federation, 1820-1939

Correspondence with Kingston, Barton, Deakin and others during Symon's membership of the Federal Convention of 1897-1898, when he was elected Chairman of its Judiciary Committee. In 1899 Symon visited London to confer with the Colonial Office on the new constitution, before the official delegates arrived in 1900 to see the Commonwealth Bill pass through the Imperial Parliament. Drafts of the constitution, convention debates, speeches by Symon and press cuttings complete the series.

Correspondence, 1897-June 1898 (File 1)

Comprises Items 1-101

Correspondence, July 1898-1899 (File 2)

Comprises Items 102-153

Correspondence, January-March 1900 (File 3)

Comprises Items 154-223

Correspondence, April 1900 (File 4)

Comprises Items 224-306

Correspondence, May 1900 (File 5)

Includes a leaflet entitled May an Australian be loyal and yet a supporter of clause 74 of the Commonwealth Bill? (1900)

Comprises Items 307-403

Correspondence, June-July 1900 (File 6)

Includes a pamphlet entitled Speech by the Right Honourable Sir John Forrest recommending the people of Western Australia to join the Australian Commonwealth

Comprises Items 404-469

Correspondence, August-December 1900 (File 7)

Comprises Items 470-517

Printed material, 1897 (File 8)

Roll of members of the Australasian Federal Convention: charged with the duty of framing a Federal Constitution for Australasia, Adelaide, March 22nd, 1897

Comprises Item 518

Printed material, 1897-1898 (File 9)

Includes an address by Symon at the Adelaide Town Hall, 8 February 1897

Comprises Items 519-526

Printed material, 1897 (File 10)

Mainly speeches by Symon

Comprises Items 527-533

Printed material, 1897-1898 (File 11)

Includes some issues of the Official Record of the Australasian Federal Convention Debates (1897-1898) and newspaper articles by Symon on the Australian Commonwealth Bill

Comprises Items 534-541

Bound copy of the Constitution Act, 1900 (File 12)

Comprises Item 542

Correspondence and printed material, 1897-1904 (File 13)

Comprises Items 543-594

Printed material (File 14)

Includes a typescript article by Symon 'The Privy Council appeal'

Comprises Items 595-612

Printed material, 1898-1907 (File 15)

Leaflets relating to the Federal Convention and miscellaneous parliamentary papers

Also includes an issue of United Australia , April 1900, containing an article by Symon 'The Privy Council appeal'

Comprises Items 613-640

Printed material, 1820-1897 (File 16)

Draft bills for the Constitution Act and a copy of an Act for the union of Great Britain and Ireland (1820)

Comprises Items 641-643

Printed material, 1897-1898 (File 17)

Draft bills for the Constitution Act

Comprises Items 644-647

Printed material, (File 18)

Draft bill and a copy of the Constitution Act

Comprises Items 648-649

Printed material, 1897-1898 (File 19)

Includes drafts of a bill for the Constitution Act and other papers relating to the Federal Convention

Comprises Items 650-663

Printed material, 1898-1901 (File 20)

Draft bills for the Constitution Act and press cuttings

Comprises Items 650-689

Printed material and notes, 1898-1900 (File 21)

Includes draft bills and a copy of the Constitution Act

Comprises Items 690-703

Printed material, 1897-1899 (File 22)

Includes leaflets for the June 1898 referendum, drafts bills and notes on the Federal Convention

Comprises Items 704-724

Printed material, 1898-1900 (File 23)

Includes leaflets, reports and bills

Comprises Items 725-766

Printed material, 1881-1900 (File 24)

Various reports and bills

Comprises Items 767-780

Press cuttings and notes, 1896-1939 (File 25)

Mainly cuttings relating to Federation (1896-1898). Includes 2 cuttings from 1937 and 1939

Comprises Items 781-809

Press cuttings, 1898 (File 26)

Comprises Items 810-838

Press cuttings, 1898-1900 (File 27)

Comprises Items 839-887

Press cuttings, 1898-1928 (File 28)

Comprises Items 888-903

Press cuttings, 1857-1932 (File 29)

Comprises Items 904-916

Printed material, 1900-1934 (File 30)

Includes issues of United Australia (April 1900 and January 1902) and press cuttings

Comprises Items 917-923

Series 10. Senator for South Australia, 1901-1927

Symon entered the first Parliament as a Senator for South Australia in 1901. Material from this election and that of 1906 are included, together with correspondence from George H. Reid, John S. Clemons, John H. Keating, Henry Dobson, Edward Puleford, Simon Fraser, James T. Walker, Albert Gould, John C. Neild, Norman K. Ewing and Alexander P. Matheson.

Correspondence, 1901 (File 1)

Comprises Items 1-62

Correspondence, 1901 (File 2)

Comprises Items 63-110

Correspondence, 1901-1903 (File 3)

Mainly 1901 correspondence

Comprises Items 111-134

Correspondence, 1902 (File 4)

Comprises Items 135-189

Correspondence, 1902 (File 5)

Comprises Items 190-228

Correspondence, 1903 (File 6)

Comprises Items 229-270

Press cuttings, 1903 (File 7)

Comprises Items 271-304

Correspondence, 1903 (File 8)

Some correspondence undated

Comprises Items 305-362

Correspondence, 1904-1905 (File 9)

Comprises Items 363-429

Correspondence, 1906 (File 10)

Includes some news clippings and leaflets relating to the 1906 elections

Comprises Items 430-468

Correspondence, 1906-1907 (File 11)

Comprises Items 469-562

Correspondence, 1908-1912 (File 12)

Includes some undated correspondence

Comprises Items 563-603

Leaflets, memorandum and speeches, 1901-1905 (File 13)

Comprises Items 604-634

Printed material, 1901-1909 (File 14)

Speeches from Parliamentary Debates,

Comprises Items 635-649

Printed material, (File 15)

Drafts of a Bill to make provision for the exercise of the judicial power of the Commonwealth of Australia

Comprises Items 650-653

Printed material, (File 16)

Includes reports on the trans-Australian railway

Comprises Items 654-659

General papers index to Commonwealth parliamentary papers (1901-1909), 1910 (File 17)

Comprises Item 660

Printed material, 1902-1905 (File 18)

Includes various bills and an opinion by Symon as to whether a layman can hold the Office of Attorney-General (1905)

Comprises Items 661-670

Printed material, 1905-1907 (File 19)

Speeches, reports and extracts from Parliamentary Debates

Comprises Items 671-677

Printed material, 1909 (File 20)

Various parliamentary papers

Comprises Items 678-681a

Printed material, 1906-1911 (File 21)

Miscellaneous parliamentary papers. Includes recommendations by Admiral Henderson on the Commonwealth naval forces (1911)

Comprises Items 682-684

Printed material, 1912 (File 22)

Volumes 17 and 34 of Parliamentary Debates

Comprises Items 685-686

Printed material, 1901-1915 (File 23)

Includes a report on the Murray River and its tributaries (1913)

Comprsies Items 687-692

Press cuttings, 1901-1904 (File 24)

Mainly 1901 cuttings. Also includes a section of the Town and Country Journal , January 1904

Comprises Items 693-741

Press cuttings, October 1903-March 1906 (File 25)

Comprises Items 742-795

Press cuttings and other miscellaneous material, 1906-1907 (File 26)

Includes an opinion on the rights of South Australia in relation to other states to the waters of the Murray River

Also includes a Senate report on the Joseph Vardon case

Comprises Items 796-856

Press cuttings, 1905-1923 (File 27)

Comprises Items 857-882

Press cuttings and other miscellaneous material, 1910-1927 (File 28)

Includes a paper on naval and military defence presented at the Imperial Conference, London, 1911

Comprises Items 883-913

Printed material, 1901-1914 (File 29)

Includes issues of United Australia (Vol II, Nos 5,6 and 8, 1901-1902)

Also includes a Privy Council judgement on the boundary dispute between South Australia and Victoria (1913-1914)

Comprises Items 914-917

Series 11. Attorney-General, 1903-1906

Symon was Attorney-General in the Reid-McLean Ministry from 17 August 1904-5 July 1905. Much of this series consists of correspondence with George H. Reid, Samuel Griffith and Robert Garran relating to expenditure and circuits of the High Court. Parliamentary papers and press cuttings complete this series.

Correspondence, August 1904 (File 1)

Comprises Items 1-61

Correspondence, September 1904-July 1905 (File 2)

Comprises Items 62-123

Correspondence, May 1904-May 1905 (File 3)

Comprises Items 124-165

Correspondence, January-February 1905 (File 4)

Comprises Items 166-212

Correspondence, November 1904-March 1905 (File 5)

Comprises Items 213-265

Correspondence, March-May 1905 (File 6)

Comprises Items 266-317

Correspondence, May 1905 (File 7)

Comprises Items 318-416

Correspondence, notes and lists, August 1904-May 1905 (File 8)

Includes an undated memorandum on the High Court organisation and expenditure

Comprises Items 417-498

Correspondence, July 1904-May 1905 (File 9)

Comprises Items 499-538

Correspondence and notes, May 1905 (File 10)

Comprises Items 539-594

Correspondence and press cuttings, May-June 1905 (File 11)

Comprises Items 595-652

Correspondence, June 1905 (File 12)

Comprises Items 653-690

Correspondence and reports, 1904-July 1905 (File 13)

Comprises Items 691-767

Memorandum, notes, reports and press cuttings, 1904-July 1905 (File 14)

Includes a copy of the Governor-General's response to a request to dissolve Parliament (July 1905)

Comprises Items 768-820

Memorandum, notes, reports and press cuttings, 1903-1906 (File 15)

Comprises Items 821-917

Memorandum, notes, press cuttings and speeches, 1904-1905 (File 16)

Includes a notebook with limited entries

Comprises Items 918-996

Series 12. 1913 general election, 1911-1913

In 1912 Symon refused to sign the Liberal movement's manifesto and was defeated at the general election of 1913 which he contested as an independent. This series contains correspondence, details of election expenses, printed material and press cuttings.

Correspondence, 1911-1913 (File 1)

Includes a copy of the constitution, rules and political platform of the Liberal Union and election material

Comprises Items 1-50

Correspondence and notes, 1912-1913 (File 2)

Mainly correspondence April-June 1912. Includes papers nominating Symon for a Senate seat (July 1913)

Comprises Items 51-102

Correspondence, June 1912-April 1913 (File 3)

Comprises Items 103-150

Correspondence, May 1913 (File 4)

Comprises Items 151-225

Correspondence, May 1913 (File 5)

Comprises Items 226-299

Correspondence, May 1913 (File 6)

Comprises Items 300-361

Correspondence and election material, April-June 1913 (File 7)

Includes election leaflets and speeches by Symon

Comprises Items 362-412

Financial papers, April-July 1913 (File 8)

Mainly invoices and receipts

Comprises Items 413-465

'Letters to the editor' relating to Symon and the Senate election, May 1913 (File 9)

Comprises Items 466-491

Notes, press cuttings and miscellaneous election material, June 1912-May 1913 (File 10)

Includes a journal article about Symon entitled 'A distinguished federal statesman' reprinted from the Sydney Mail (April 1913)

Comprises Items 492-510

Press cuttings, June 1912-May 1913 (File 11)

Items unnumbered

Press cuttings, April-June 1913 (File 11a)

Items unnumbered

Press cuttings, April-June 1913 (File 12)

Items unnumbered

Press cuttings, April-May 1913 (File 13)

Items unnumbered

Press cuttings, June 1912-May 1913 (File 14_15)

Items unnumbered

Series 13. Oaths Abolition Bill, 1882-1932

Whilst in the South Australian House of Assembly, Symon introduced and carried the Oaths Abolition Bill, which aimed to put an end to the administration of oaths in the courts of Justice and to substitute a declaration. This was lost in the Legislative Council. In 1929 interest was again aroused and Symon supported the cause. A letter of 1883 from Cardinal Manning is amongst correspondence in this series. Press cuttings are also included.

Correspondence, notes, reports and speeches, 1883-1929 (File 1)

Comprises Items 1-56

Correspondence, notes and miscellaneous printed material, 1882-1932 (File 2)

Comprises Items 57-121

Issue of Desiderata, November 1929 (File 3)

Comprises Item 122

News cuttings, 1882-1932 (File 4)

Items unnumbered

Series 14. HMS Commonwealth, 1906-1927

Symon represented the Commonwealth Government at the Coronation naval review at Spithead in England in 1911 and made a presentation from the people of Australia to HMS Commonwealth at Portsmouth. The gift consisted of a silver challenge shield and a silver plate table piece of a model of Captain Cook's ship, the Endeavour . When the Commonwealth was withdrawn from service in 1921 there was much correspondence with the Admiralty and with the Australian Naval Board concerning the future of the gift.

Correspondence, financial papers and notes, 1907-May 1911 (File 1)

Comprises Items 1-50

Correspondence and notes, 1907-June 1912 (File 2)

Comprises Items 51-79

Correspondence, July-September 1911 (File 3)

Comprises Items 80-126

Correspondence, September 1911-1924 (File 4)

Comprises Items 127-156

Correspondence, October 1921-1926 (File 5)

Comprises Items 157-222

Photographs and ephemera, 1911 (File 6)

Comprises Items 223-241

Press cuttings and printed material, 1906-1927 (File 7)

Comprises Items 242-268

Press cuttings, 1906-1911 (File 8)

Comprises Item 269

Series 15. Royal Commission on the Constitution, 1927-1928

Symon was invited to give evidence before the Royal Commission set up in 1927 to enquire into and report upon the powers of the Commonwealth under the Constitution and the working of the Constitution since Federation. The series includes correspondence with J. B. Peden, J. Sincock, Sir Henry Barwell and J. G. Hardman, terms of reference for the Commission, notes and press cuttings.

Comprises Folder 1 (Items 1-117).

Series 16. Seccession Movement, Western Australia, 1895-1933

In 1930 a movement had grown in Western Australia to secede from the Commonwealth. Symon was a staunch opponent and wrote vigorously against it. There are many press cuttings and some correspondence with Braddon Saunders, W. Ogden, F. Gates, W. H. Gee, Sir John Latham and Sir Alexander Hore-Ruthven (later Lord Gowrie).

Correspondence, notes, press cuttings, reports and speeches, 1895-1930 (File 1)

Comprises Items 1-68

Correspondence, notes, press cuttings, drafts of speeches or articles, 1930-1933 (File 2)

Comprises Items 69-126

Notes, drafts of speeches or articles and printed material, 1930-[193-] (File 3)

Includes copies of Can we secede from the Commonwealth? (1930) and The case for union: a reply to the case for seccession of the state of Western Australia [193-]

Comprises Items 127-171

Press cuttings, 1930-1933 (File 4_5)

Items unnumbered

Series 17. Governor-General's appointment, 1925-1932

Sir Isaac Isaacs was appointed Governor-General in 1931. Symon and others disagreed violently with the way this was brought about. Correspondence with Sir Edward Mitchell, Sir John Latham, Sir William Irvine, E. P. Auld and Sir Edward Wallington is included in this series, together with copies of Symon's letters to the press.

Correspondence, April-December 1930 (File 1)

Comprises Items 1-60

Correspondence, December 1930-January 1931 (File 2)

Comprises Items 61-119

Correspondence, January-March 1931 (File 3)

Comprises Items 120-183

Correspondence, March-August 1931 (File 4)

Includes pamphlet Governor-Generalship of Australia: appointment of Sir Isaac Isaacs . Consists of reprints of articles by Symon on the appointment appearing in the Adelaide Advertiser (1931)

Comprises Items 184-222

Correspondence and extracts from newspapers and journals, 1930-September 1932 (File 5)

Correspondence covers period October 1931-September 1932

Comprises Items 223-271

Drafts of articles and notes, 1930-1931 (File 6)

Comprises Items 272-352

Drafts of articles, notes and other papers, 1925-1931 (File 7)

Comprises Items 353-428

Press cuttings and notes, 1930-1931 (File 8)

Comprises Item 429 and unnumbered cuttings

Series 18. Gladstone centenary celebrations, 1877-1933

The town of Gladstone (South Australia) celebrated its centenary in 1933. On this occasion Symon wrote to its Mayor, F. C. Grubb, telling of his association with W. E. Gladstone after whom the town was named. He offered the town an autographed letter from Gladstone, dated 1877, which he had received while acting for Gladstone in proceedings to restrain the unauthorised publication of his pamphlet entitled 'The Bulgarian horrors and the question of the East'. A copy of this letter appears in the file. Correspondence, printed matter and press cuttings (1930-1933) relating to the centenary are also included.

Comprises Folder 1 (Items 1-36).

Series 19. Certificates, 1863-1904

Certificates and commissions received by Symon. Included are school certificates and certificates relating to his appointment as Attorney-General for South Australia (1881) and the Commonwealth (1904-1905), Queens Counsel (1881), and his knighthood in 1901.

Comprises Folder 1 (Items 1-29 ).

Series 20. Cards, invitation and programs, 1895-1954

Cards, invitations, menus, programs and other items of ephemera relating to the many ceremonies, dinners, receptions, royal visits and official functions that Symon attended in Australia and overseas during his careeer.

The series also includes tickets, railway passes and meal vouchers for Symon and Lady Symon to attend the opening of Parliament House in Canberra on 9 May 1927. These items are accompanied by a small black wallet holder specially made for the occasion.

Tickets, passes and other ephemera, 1907-1927 (File 1)

Includes tickets, railway passes and a booklet of commemorative stamps relating to the opening of Parliament House, May 1927

Also includes a souvenir booklet entitled Visit of the colonial premiers and the Houses of Parliament to Portsmouth (3 May 1907)

Comprises Items 1-2k

Invitations, menus and other ephemera, 1895-1931 (File 2)

Comprises Items 3-53

Cards and other ephemera, 1915-1954 (File 3)

Mainly Christmas cards, postcards (1915-1933) and some name cards

Includes a 1954 press clipping which has been added to the collection following Symon's death

Comprises Items 54-120

Invitations, souvenir booklets and other ephemera, 1903-1933 (File 4)

Comprises Items 121-155

Series 21. Family papers, 1878-1959

The series comprises a copy of Symon's will and codicil, trust deeds, miscellaneous accounts, invoices and receipts, correspondence concerning the purchase of a car in England in 1909, notes made for staff concerning the daily running of his residence 'Manoah', a Commonwealth life rail pass, photographs and a folder of press cuttings.

Also includes some miscellaneous papers belonging to Lady Symon and her daughter, Kilmeny Symon.

Correspondence and financial papers, 1878-1896 (File 1)

Comprises Items 1-33

Correspondence and financial papers, 1900-1921 (File 2)

Comprises Items 34-112

Notes and miscellaneous papers, 1924-1935 (File 3)

Includes notes relating to the running of 'Manoah' and a cellar book

Comprises Items 113-169

Notes and legal papers, 1896-1928 (File 4)

Includes a copy of Symon's will and property deeds

Comprises Items 170-254

Correspondence, biographical notes and press cuttings, 1908-1959 (File 5)

Mainly papers 1908-1936. Includes correspondence to Lady Symon (1933-1935) and a letter belonging to Symon's daughter Kilmeny dated 1959

Comprises Items 255-290

Miscellaneous papers, 1904-1906 (File 6)

Comprises items 291-212

Commonwealth life railway pass presented to Symon, n.d. (File 7)

Item was added to the collection in December 1980

Photographs, 1891-c.1910s (File 8)

Two photographs. One of them is a group portrait of delegates attending the 1891 Australasian National Convention in Sydney. The second photograph is unidentified

Items unnumbered

Series 22. Knight Commander of St Michael and St George (KCMG), 1891-1934

Joseph Chamberlain's letter informing Symon of his appointment as a Knight Commander of St Michael and St George (KCMG), together with Symon's reply. Many letters and telegrams of congratulations are to be found in the letter book for this period in Series 1. In 1917 Symon became eligible by seniority for a seat in the Chapel of the Order, and correspondence concerning this, and the coat of arms affixed to the seat, also appears in this series.

Correspondence, 1900-1917 (File 1)

Includes the letter from Joseph Chamberlain and a Royal Warrant

Comprises Items 1-33

Correspondence and printed material, 1891-1934 (File 2)

Printed material relating to the KCMG

Comprises Items 34-76

Series 23. Australian War Memorial, 1915-1930

Correspondence with W. L. Stuart, J. Dillon, J. L. Treloar and R. L. Dick, and several press cuttings relating to Symon's gift of an Aldershot service bugle to the Australian War Memorial in 1929.

Correspondence and press cuttings, 1915-1929 (File 1)

Comprises Items 1-28

Correspondence, 1928-1930 (File 2)

Includes a 1928 copy of the Australian War Memorial Museum guidebook

Comprises Items 29-50

Series 24. University of Sydney, 1902-1931

Symon's association with the University began in 1902 on the occasion of its golden jubilee, when he was invited by C. Clive Teece to address the Union. A draft of the address is included in this series. In 1922 Symon gave £1,000 for a scholarship to be set up for first year students of English, and in 1924 donated a bell to the carillon appeal. Correspondents in this series include C. C. Teece, Sir William Cullen, E. R. Holme, Iven G. Mackay, R. W. Teece, M. W. MacCallum and W. A. Selle.

Comprises Folder 1 (Items 1-172).

Series 25. University of Adelaide, 1923-1932

From 1897 to 1901 Symon was a member of the Council of the University of Adelaide. In 1924 he gave his considerable law library to the Law School of the University, and in 1926 he donated £10,000 for the establishment of the Lady Symon Building for women students. Correspondence with Dr Helen Mayo, Sir George Murray, F. W. Eardley, R. R. Stucky and others, together with press cuttings, form this series.

Correspondence, notes and speech notes, 1923-1932 (File 1)

Material relating to the establishment of the Lady Symon Building for women students

Comprises items 1-152

Correspondence and notes, 1924 (File 2)

Material relating to the donation of Symon's law library to the University's Law School

Comprises Items 153-179

Series 26. State Library of South Australia, 1918-1930

In 1918 G. H. Pitt began the catalogue of Symon's personal library which was later bequeathed to the State Library of South Australia. Correspondence with Pitt and W. H. Marshall of the State Library is included, together with press cuttings.

Comprises Folder 1 (Items 1-141).

Series 27. Gifts to other South Australian institutions, 1923-1932

Correspondence concerning Symon's gift in 1927 of £1,500 to the Australian Inland Mission towards the establishment of the Eleanor Symon Nursing Home at Innamincka, the setting up of the Northcote Rest Home for Mothers and Babies in 1928, and with Scotch College, Adelaide, concerning Symon's gift of £1,000 to establish a scholarship in English literature (1930-1931).

Correspondence relating to the establishment of the Eleanor Symon Nursing Home, Innamincka, 1923-1932 (File 1)

Comprises Items 1-21

Correspondence and notes relating to the Northcote Rest Home, 1927-1928 (File 2)

Comprises Items 22-26

Correspondence and notes relating to Symon's donation to Scotch College, 1930-1931 (File 3)

Comprises Items 27-67

Series 28. Gifts to Scottish institutions, 1915-1931

In 1927 Symon had a stained glass window erected at the Baptist Church, Stirling, in memory of his father, James, and later contributed to the church's funds. As well, he endowed a cot in the Stirling Infirmary and set up a benevolent fund for the poor of Wick and Stirling called the Sir Josiah H. Symon Stirling Poor Fund. A scholarship from the High School at Stirling tenable at a Scottish university to be called the Sir Josiah Symon Scholarship was also established. Correspondence concerning these gifts (1926-1931), together with press cuttings and a Stirling High School prospectus (1915) form this series.

Comprises Folder 1 (Items 1-88).

Series 29. Writings and speeches, 1864-1933

This series consists of published and unpublished writings and speeches by Symon. It includes the manuscripts of an article 'Tis sixty years since', notes and drafts for an unpublished work 'Dawn of Federation', manuscript and printed copies of 'Canberra revisited', a biographical sketch of David Sutherland and speeches and articles for many occasions.

Writings and speeches, 1907-1933 (File 1)

Comprises Items 1-163

Speech on the Federal Council Bill, 27 February 1884 (File 2)

Speech delivered in the South Australian House of Assembly

Comprises Items 164-184

Proofs and notes for 'Poetry and its claims', 1910 (File 3)

An address delivered by Symon at the inaugural meeting of the Poetry Recital Society, Adelaide Branch, 4 May 1910

Comprises Items 185-206

Writings and speeches, 1864-1916 (File 4)

Comprises Items 207-227

Reprints of addresses and speeches by Symon and miscellaneous press cuttings, c.1916-1931 (File 5)

Comprises Items 228-236

Typescript article 'Tis Sixty years since', 21 May 1897 (File 6)

Address delivered by Symon in the Adelaide Town Hall under the auspices of the Australian Chamber of Manufacturers

Comprises Items 237-312

Writings and speeches, 1880-1931 (File 7)

Includes an 1880 essay by Eleanor Cowle (later Eleanor Symon)

Comprises Items 313-411

Writings and speeches, 1864-1918 (File 8)

Comprises Items 412-491

Notes and writings, 1889-c.1932 (File 9)

Inlcudes notes and writings relating to Walter Murdoch's biography of Alfred Deakin (1923)

Comprises Items 492-579

Typescript drafts of 'Dawn of federation' n.d. (File 10)

None of the chapters are dated but notes accompanying the typescript include an extract from a 1929 newspaper

Comprises Items 580-678

Typescript drafts of 'Dawn of federation' n.d. (File 11)

Comprises Items 679-752

Reprints of a newspaper article, 'Canberra revisited', 28 February 1927 (File 12)

Reprinted from the Adelaide Advertiser

Comprises Items 753-851

Series 30. Shakespeare studies, 1901-1933

Shakespeare the Englishman, published in 1929, contains three addresses given by Symon, namely 'Shakespeare at home', 'Shakespeare the Englishman', and 'Shakespeare quotation'. Correspondence, drafts, notes and reviews make up this series.

Correspondence, September 1901-March 1925 (File 1)

Comprises Items 1-69

Correspondence, June 1920-June 1929 (File 2)

Includes typescript of an introductory note to Shakespeare the Englishman

Comprises Items 70-174

Correspondence, July 1929-November 1931 (File 3)

Comprises Items 175-249

Correspondence, writings and printed material, 1912-1933 (File 4)

Comprises Items 250-314

Printed material relating to Shakespeare, 1901-1929 (File 5)

Includes copies of Shakespeare the Englishman and other works by Symon

Comprises Items 315-320

Press cuttings, 1922-1929 (File 6)

Comprises Items 321-393

Series 31. Miscellaneous manuscripts, 1865-1933

Miscellaneous notes on a wide variety of subjects. They include manuscript notes by Symon (mostly undated) and typed extracts from books, journals and newspapers (usually dated). Some of the notes also appear to be drafts for articles and speeches.

The date ranges assigned to most of the folders in this series have been based on the dates of the typed extracts and dates appearing in notes and in some cases may not accurately reflect the period that Symon was creating these records.

Notes and extracts from printed material, 1865-1933 (File 1)

Comprises Items 1-123

Notes and extracts from printed material, c.1910s-1930 (File 2)

Comprises Items 124-190

Manuscript journals, 1899-1901 (File 3)

Series of handwritten journals entitled 'The Walking and Rockwall Home Journal'

Comprises Items 191-200

Notes and extracts from printed material, 1900s-1931 (File 4)

Comprises Items 201-274

Notes and extracts from printed material, c.1910-c.1920s (File 5)

Comprises Items 275-321

Typed extracts from unidentified memoirs of Winston Churchill, n.d. (File 6)

Comprises Items 322-418

Notes and extracts from printed material, 1893-1927 (File 7)

Comprises Items 419-530

Notebook, c.1890s-c.1900s (File 8)

Comprises Item 531

Notes and extracts from printed material, c.1900s-1933 (File 9)

Comprises Items 533-638

Notes and extracts from printed material, 1866-c.1930 (File 10)

Comprises Items 639-771

Notes and extracts from printed material, 1895-1929 (File 11)

Comprises Items 772-798

Notes and extracts from printed material, 1906-c.1927 (File 12)

Comprises Items 799-816

Notes and extracts from printed material, 1869-c.1917 (File 13)

Comprises Items 817-848

Notes and extracts from printed material, c.1918-1920s (File 14)

Comprises Items 849-891

Notes and extracts from printed material, c.1910s-1929 (File 15)

Comprises Items 892-940

Notes and extracts from printed material, c.1920s-1932 (File 16)

Mainly poetry and some press cuttings

Comprises Items 941-1078

Notes and extracts from printed material, 1912-1933 (File 17)

Comprises Items 1079-1135

Notes and extracts from printed material, 1920s-1930s (File 18)

Comprises Items 1136-1167

Notes and extracts from printed material, 1900s-1932 (File 19)

Comprises Items 1168-1206

Series 32. Tributes following Symon's death, March-November 1934

Letters and telegrams of condolence received by Lady Symon following her husband's death on 29 March 1934. The series also includes a bound volume containing the tributes, paid to Sir Josiah in the Federal Parliament, tributes by others and press cuttings.

Comprises File 1 (Items 1-116).

Container List

Series Files Items Box
1 1-8 1-565 1
1 9-14 566-884 2
1 15-19 885-921 3
1 20-26 922-1074 4
1 27-33 1075-1472 5
1 34-40 1473-1684 6
1 41 1685 7
1 42 1686 Folio box 10
1 43-48 1687-1916 7
1 49-56 1917-2276a 8
1 57-64 2277-2683 9
1 65-73 2684-3449 10
1 74-83 3450-4369 11
1 84-93 4370-5005 12
1 94-102 5006-5633 13
2 1 1-56 13
2 2-6 57-77 14
3 1 1 14
3 2 2 Folio Box 1
3 3 3 Folio Box 2
3 4 4 15
3 5 5 Folio Box 3
3 6-8 6-8 15
3 9-12 9-12 16
3 13-14 13-14 17
3 15 15 18
3 16 16 Folio Box 8
3 17 17 Folio Box 4
3 18 18 Folio Box 5
3 19-20 19-20 18
3 20a-21 20a-21 19
3 22-23 22-23 Folio Box 6
3 24 24 19
3 25-26 25-26 Folio Box 7
3 27 27 19
3 28-36 Items unnumbered 20
3 37-46 Items unnumbered 21
3 47-49 Items unnumbered 22
3 50 Items unnumbered Folio Box 5
3 51-57 Items unnumbered 22
3 58-60 Items unnumbered 23
3 61 Items unnumbered Folio Box 1
3 62 Items unnumbered Folio Box 9
4 1-5 1-28 23
4 6-12 29-63 24
4 13-14 64-95 25
4 15 96-98 Folio Box 9
4 16-21 99-204 25
4 22-32 205-494 26
4 33-42 495-734 27
4 43 735 Folio Box 9
5 1-10 1-489 28
5 11-20 490-943 29
5 21-29 943-1336 30
5 30-39 1337-2020 31
5 40-49 2021-2942 32
5 50-59 2943-3522 33
6 1-4 1-190 34
7 1-3 1-99 34
8 1-3 1-130 34
8 4-10 131-511 35
9 1-3 1-223 35
9 4-14 224-612 36
9 15-25 613-809 37
9 26-30 810-923 38
10 1-4 1-189 38
10 5-14 190-649 39
10 15-25 650-795 40
10 26-29 796-917 41
11 1-7 1-416 41
11 8-16 417-996 42
12 1-2 1-102 42
12 3-11 103-510 43
12 11a Items unnumbered Folio Box 9
12 12 Items unnumbered 43
12 13-15 Items unnumbered 44
13 1-3 1-122 44
14 1-3 1-126 44
14 4-7 127-268 45
14 8 269 Folio Box 4
15 1 1-117 45
16 1-5 1-171 45
17 1-8 1-429 46
18 1 1-36 46
19 1 1-2,4-6,9,11,13-23,25 46
19 1 3,7-8,10,12,24,26-29 HW Map Drawer 25
20 1 1-2 46
20 2-4 3-154 47
20 2-4 155 Folio Box 9
21 1-7 1-312 47
21 8 Items unnumbered Folio Box 9
22 1-2 1-76 48
23 1-2 1-50 48
24 1 1-172 48
25 1-2 1-179 48
26 1 1-141 48
27 1-3 1-67 49
28 1 1-88 49
29 1-6 1-312 49
29 7-12 313-851 50
30 1-4 1-314 50
30 5-6 315-393 51
31 1-7 1-530 51
31 8-17 531-1135 52
31 18-19 1136-1206 52
32 1 1-116 53

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