Summary

A handwritten memorandum of agreement between H. V. McKay, machinery manufacturer of Ballarat, R. H. Martin, grazier of Bodangora, New South Wales, signed by both and dated 5th June 1901.

The agreement was for an investment loan by R. H. Martin of £1000 to McKay's business in exchange for a pro rata share in profits. The agreement could be terminated by either party with return of £500 of capital six months after termination and the balance at 12 months. The present value of the business is stated as £24,000.

Part of a collection of photographs, negatives, moving film, artefacts, documents and trade literature belonging to the H. V. McKay Sunshine Collection. The McKay collection is regarded as one of the most significant industrial heritage collections in Australia. The collection relates to the agricultural manufacturing firm, the Sunshine Harvester Works. The Australian operations of this company were originally founded by Hugh V. McKay in the 1890s in Ballarat. Between 1906 and 1907, McKay moved production to Sunshine where the firm became one of the largest industrial businesses in Australia. Change in ownership is a recurring theme in the company's history. In 1930, it merged with Massey-Harris to become H.V McKay Massey Harris. In the mid-1950s, the company was absorbed by Canadian agricultural firm Massey-Ferguson. Production in Sunshine ceased in the mid-1980s, following almost 100 years of manufacturing agricultural equipment.

Physical Description

Two single-sided handwritten sheet of lined, off-white translucent paper with company letterhead. Printed text in blue ink. Illustration of a scroll in front of grain in top left corner. Handwritten text in black.

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