Summary

Two handwritten letters on company letterhead relating to the employment of R. H. Martin as a travelling salesman for H. V. McKay, both dated 5th June 1901.

Letter, signed by H. V. McKay, written by R. H. Martin, dated 5th June 1901. This letter sets out the general agreement that was made verbally between R. H. Martin and H. V. McKay regarding plans to resume business activity in South Africa at the end of the war (Second Boer War) and items to include in any contracts made with agents. It states: "As soon as the country is open for ordinary business say in six months time you will proceed to South Africa and notify me by letter before leaving England. When you land there you will at once set about introducing the Sunshine Harvester to the people in the grain growing districts and arrange with some responsible houses to run the business and give substantial orders for machines and sorting what you will at once set about setting single machines to the industrial farmers being careful to select the most practical men you can find as purchasers of the first machines." Remuneration for R. H. Martin was set at £3 5s per week plus reasonable expenses.

Letter written by R. H. Martin to H. V. McKay, dated 5th June 1901, acknowledging that he will undertake to introduce the Sunshine Harvester into the South African market according to previously agreed upon conditions.

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

Four sheets of lined off-white paper with printed letterhead. Handwritten text in black ink. Letterhead has logo of a scroll with bunch of wheat behind it in top left corner and list of equipment made, imported, and depots & agencies.

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