Guide to the Papers of William C.A. Vanneck Huntingfield, 5th Baron Huntingfield (as filmed by the AJCP)
M2820 - M2824
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Created: 2018
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Huntingfield, William Charles Arcedeckne Vanneck, 5th Baron Huntingfield
- Title
- Papers of William C.A. Vanneck Huntingfield, 5th Baron Huntingfield (as filmed by the AJCP)
- Date Range
- 1915 - 1941
- Collection Number
- M2820 - M2824
- Extent
- 18 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
Correspondence, speeches, photograph albums, albums of press cuttings and other papers relating to Huntingfield's time in Australia.
The correspondence includes copies of Huntingfield's letters relating to his appointments as Governor of Victoria and Governor-General of Australia, and his later governorships of Madras and Rhodesia. Correspondents include Sir Edward Harding, Sir Alexander Hardinge, Lord Gowrie, Sir Winston Dugan, Sir Leslie Wilson, Lord Baden Powell, J.A. Lyons and Lord Galway.
The photograph albums contain family and official photographs, including photographs of Government House, Melbourne. The albums of press cuttings refer to appointments as Governor of Victoria and Acting Governor-General of Australia, opening of Parliament, and State dinners.
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
Filmed as part of the Australian Joint Copying Project at the private residence of Lord Huntingfield, Cambridge, 1992 (AJCP Reels: M2820-M2824). Original microfilm digitised as part of the NLA AJCP Online Delivery Project, 2017-2020.
Existence and Location of Originals
Lord Huntingfield. Cambridge, England
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-vn2940486] as well as other institutions holding AJCP microfilm.
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 2018. 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
Arundell, Sir George V., 8th Viscount Galway; Baden-Powell, Robert, 1st Baron; Dugan, Sir Winston; Government House, Melbourne; Governors and Governors General: Australia; Governors and Governors General: India; Governors and Governors General: Victoria; Harding, Sir Edward; Hardinge, Sir Alexander; Hore-Ruthven, Sir Alexander, 1st Earl of Gowrie; Lyons, Joseph A.; Photographs: Victoria; Vanneck, William C.A., 5th Baron Huntingfield; Victoria; Victoria: politics and government; Wigram, Clive, 1st Baron; Wilson, Sir Leslie
Bibliography
Originally cited in Australian Joint Copying Project Handbook. Part 8: Miscellaneous (M) Series. Third Edition, published 1998. Entry 241, p90.
Biographical / Historical
William Charles Arcedeckne Vanneck, Baron Huntingfield, (1883-1969), son of William Vanneck and Mary Armstrong of Toowoomba, succeeded his uncle as 5th Baron in 1915. He was MP for Eye Division of East Suffolk, 1923-1929, Parliamentary Private Secretary to Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Home Department 1926-1927 and to President of Board of Trade, 1927-1928. He was Governor of Victoria, 1934-1939 and Acting Governor General of Australia, March-September 1938. He was appointed Governor of Rhodesia in 1942 but did not take up the post. He married Margaret Crosby (d.1943) in 1912.
Item Descriptions
Series A. Correspondence, 1915 - 1941
8 itemsIncludes copies of Lord Huntingfield's letters.
Archival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reels M2820-M2821.
Correspondence with Dominions Office re appointment as Governor of Victoria, 10 November 1933 - 27 March 1934 (File 1)
Correspondents include: A.Bromley, Sir Edward Harding, J.H.Thomas, Richard Linton (Agent General for Victoria), Sir Harry Batterbee.
Subjects include: Interview with Secretary of State; salaries of aides; expenditure of a Governor; emoluments; furnishings of Government House; Major Wilkinson, Private Secretary; exemption of Governor from Victorian income tax; position of ADC; his position with regards to British income tax; taking over servants from Government House, Adelaide; Captain Triall; Australian press; suitable books on constitutional history; appointment by King as KCMG; preparation of Annual Reports and communications; curtseying to Governor Generals and Governors; passage money. (95p.)
Includes an extract of a letter from Lord Somers to Sir Edward Harding, 19 March 1931 re expenditure, household wages, servants.
Correspondence re Governor Generalship of Australia, June 1938 - July 1938 (File 2)
2 items
Correspondence re Governorships of Madras and Rhodesia, 2 March 1937 - 12 November 1941 (File 3)
Correspondents include: Edward Hartington, Duke of Devonshire (Dominions Office); Lord Stanley (India Office); Sir Geoffrey Whiskard (London); A.Muirhead (India office); Lord Cranborne (Dominions Office). (43p.)
Items of note include:
Lord Huntingfield (Canberra) to Sir Geoffrey Whiskard (1/07/1938) re life in Canberra: 'I am really glad to be here away from the perpetual entertaining in Melbourne enlivened by endless speech making'.
Correspondence re appointment of Sir Winston Dugan as Governor of Victoria, October 1938 (File 4)
Correspondents include: Sir Winston Dugan (Adelaide); A.A.Dunstan (Melbourne); Eddy, Marquis of Hartington (Dominions Office); Lord Gowrie (Canberra); Lord Huntingfield. (Copies). (52p.)
Items of note include:
A.A. Dunstan (Melbourne) to Huntingfield (4/10/1938) requesting he remain in office until 13 May 1941.
Sir Winston Dugan (Adelaide) to Huntingfield (4/10/1938) that he has been asked to remain in office as Governor of South Australia.
Huntingfield (Melbourne) to Secretary of State (11-10-1938) re Governorship of Victoria; recommending Dugan. (Copy)
Huntingfield (Melbourne) to Dunstan (11/10/1938) that decided not to continue as Governor of Victoria. (Copy)
Correspondence with Lord Wigram and Sir Alexander Hardinge (Buckingham Palace), 31 August 1934 - 7 May 1938 (File 5)
Subjects include: betrothal of Prince George; visit of Duke of Gloucester to Australia; Lord and Lady Huntingfield's activities; British Medical Association Congress in Melbourne; visit to Gatton; European political affairs; death of George V; tributes paid to the King in Melbourne; coronation gift to George VI; coronation celebrations in Melbourne; Victorian politics; visit to Australia of Mrs Logue; appointment as Acting Governor General. (83p.)
Correspondence with Sir Edward Harding (Dominions Office), January 1915 - April 1938 (File 6)
Subjects include: visit to Australia of Duke of Gloucester; Victorian centenary celebrations; activities of Archbishop Mannix; communication with Dominions Office via Office of Governor General; Dormant Commission appointing Huntingfield Acting Governor General; use of civil uniform in Australian states; Sir Stanley Argyle's views on State/Commonwealth relations and honours system - his visit to London; appointment of Sir Geoffrey Whiskard as High Commissioner in Canberra; Empire Airmail scheme; visit to Queensland; photographs of Government House; ceremonial of assuming acting Governor Generalship; Major General Squires; delights of Canberra; pension rights. (90p.)
Items of interest include:
Lord Huntingfield (Sorrento) to Sir William Irvine (Toorak) (17/02/1935) re Dormant Commission.
Sir William Irvine (Melbourne) to Huntingfield (19/0/1935) re precedent in matter of Dormant Commissions.
Sir Edward Harding (London) to Lord Wakehurst and Sir Leslie Wilson (8/04/1938) re holding of investitures by State Governors. (Copies)
L.Harcourt (London) to Sir Arthur Stanley (Melbourne) (8/01/1915) re investitures. (Copies)
Correspondence with Lord Gowrie (Canberra, Sydney and England), December 1937 - July 1938 (File 7)
Subjects include: visits by Lord Gowrie to Melbourne; federal politics; Lord Gowrie's visits to other states; death of Sir Murray Anderson and arrangements for Melbourne Cup week; recommending Sir Newman Morris for Honour; 'The [Federal] Labour Party are very disorganised'; Lord Gowrie's trip to Papua and New Guinea; arrangements for Huntingfield to become Acting Governor General during Gowrie's leave; expenses of Acting Governor Generalship; Lord Gowrie's activities in Britain - visit to Glasgow Exhibition 'the Australian exhibit was not very impressive', the King's interest in Australia, talks with Hankey on defence; Huntingfield's activities as Acting Governor General; Governorship of Madras; banking legislation; Squadron Leader F.W.Thomas. (126p.)
Items of note include:
C.W.Kinsman (Melbourne) to Huntingfield (30/12/1937) re salary of Sir Frederick Mann when he assumes Governorship during period of Huntingfield's Governor Generalship.
Lord Gowrie (Sydney) to J.A.Lyons (31/01/1938) re payments to be made to Huntingfield during Acting Governor Generalship.
Lyons (Canberra) to Gowrie (7/02/1938) re allowances to be made. (Copy)
Lord Gowrie (London) to Lord Huntingfield (28/07/1938) sending first letter on 'all up' airmail from England to Australia.
Aide Memoire re taking over as Acting Governor General
Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1 June 1934 - 27 January 1939 (File 8)
59 itemsAll letters to Huntingfield unless noted.
(171p.)
J.H.Thomas (Dominions Office), 3 January 1935 (Item)
Re invitation to Premiers of Australian states to Silver Jubilee celebrations.
Lord Huntingfield to Secretary of State, 2 April 1936 (Item)
Re political crisis in Victoria, result of election, activities of Country Party, new government formed by Dunstan. (blurred carbon copy)
Lord Huntingfield (Melbourne) to Baden Powell (Item)
Re refusal of Governor General to recommend Hoadley for Honour.
E.Tristram Crutchley (Canberra) re visit of Lyons to the Pope, disloyalty of certain Irish Catholics, 3 September 1935 (Item)
Baden Powell (Bentley and SS Mantola) that he will write to new Governor General re Honour for Hoadley, 15 October 1935 - 30 October 1935 (Item)
Ernest R.Pitt (Chief Librarian, Melbourne) enclosing translation of a Portuguese document creating Jacob Van Neck Admiral, 11 November 1935 (Item)
Sir Leslie Wilson (Brisbane) re taking a new oath of allegiance, 29 January 1936 - 7 February 1936 (Item)
Sir Leslie Wilson (Brisbane and Canberra) re visit, impressions of Canberra, 30 April 1936 - 5 May 1936 (Item)
Sir Philip Game (London) re Chief Inspector Duncan's report on Victorian Police matters, 7 September 1936 (Item)
J.Latham and Sir James Barrett (Melbourne) re Honours; and recommending Dr J.Newman Morris for Honour, 2 January 1937 - 13 February 1937 (Item)
John Panico (Apostolic Delegate) to J.A.Lyons re 'unpleasant incident' at Levee on 9 June and that he was not invited to dinner at Government House, 13 June 1938 (Item)
C.S.Bracegirdle (Canberra) to Dr Giles re circumstances of dinner given at Government House on 9 June. (Copy), 20 June 1938 (Item)
Joseph Giles (North Sydney) to Bracegirdle re position of Apostolic Delegate, encloses copy of, 22 June 1938 (Item)
John Panico (North Sydney) to R.G.Menzies (Canberra) re precedence to be given to Apostolic Delegate, 28 July 1937 (Item)
Huntingfield (Melbourne) to Sir Samuel Hoare (Home Office) re naturalisation of Werner Falk, 30 September 1938 (Item)
Series B. Speeches, 1934 - 1938
3 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M2821.
Speeches (various topics), 27 March 1934 - 31 March 1936 (File 1)
Includes speeches at: Royal Empire Societies Reception, Veterans' luncheon, Royal Victorian Exhibition; Opening of St Andrew's Hospital; Christmas message; Box Hill - Opening of new Town Hall; ANZAC Day; Silver Jubilee State Banquet. (90p., indexed)
Series C. Miscellaneous, 1931 - 1938
1 itemArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M2821.
Itineries for visits; programmes, invitation, press cuttings (50p.), 1931 - 1938 (File)
Items of note include:
Sir William Irvine to Premier (20/06/1931) re postponement of appointment of successors to Lord Somers as Governor of Victoria. (Copy)
Itinerary for visit to Victoria of Mr Katsuji Debuchi, Japanese Ambassador (6/09/1935)
Itinerary for Huntingfield's visit to Melbourne and Sydney (27th May to 6th June 1938)
Cup Week Programme (1938)
List of names for Honours (1938)
Press cuttings re appointment as Governor of Victoria (1933)
Press cutting re death of Lady Huntingfield (1943?)
Series D. Photograph Albums, 1933; undated
3 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reel M2822.
24 photographs of Government House, Melbourne taken by Commercial Photographic Co Pty Ltd (File 1)
Includes exterior and interior scenes.
Sara Venneck: photograph album (60p.), 25 September 1933 (File 2)
Subjects include: family snapshots; voyage to Australia on SS Maloja; crossing the line; official duties in Australia; Langi Willi; Findon Harriers; animals; visit by Duke of Gloucester; Luna Park, Sydney; Guide Rally 1935; Sorrento; Malta.
Brown Photograph Album. (46p. and 10 loose photographs) (File 3)
Family snapshots and official photographs.
Subjects include: welcome at St Kilda Pier; arrival at Parliament House; official call on Governor General; motor show; King's Birthday Levee; official duties; visit of Duke of Gloucester; Cup Day House Party, 1936; Magnetic Island; Great Ocean Road.
Series E. Press Cuttings Albums, 1933 - 1939
3 itemsArchival History
Originally filmed on AJCP Reels M2822-M2824.
Press Cuttings, December 1933 - March 1935 (File 1)
Subjects include: appointment as Governor of Victoria; new Governor's staff; arrival ceremonies; state dinners; official duties; opening of Parliament; Lady Huntingfield's activities; visit to Mildura; scout jamboree; installation as Masonic Grand Master. (195p.)
Press Cuttings, March 1935 - October 1937 (File 2)
Subjects include: opening of Parliament; defeat of Argyle ministry; Great Ocean Road; official duties of Lord and Lady Huntingfield; Royal Empire Society dinner; Country Women's Association meeting; visit to Gatton; Cup day; death of King; marriage of Honourable Sara Vanneck at Melbourne Cathedral; Royal Show; Vice Regal garden party; accession of George VI; coronation celebrations. (401p.)
Press Cuttings, November 1937 - April 1939 (File 3)
Subjects include: Melbourne Cup week party; centenary assembly of Presbyterian Church; official duties of Lord and Lady Huntingfield; visit from Lord Galway; ball at Government House; Ballarat centenary; appointment as Acting Governor General; Sir Winston Dugan; farewell visits. (217p.)