Summary

A handwritten letter from F. G. Haymes, Manager of the Commercial Bank of Australia, Ballarat, to H. V. McKay, Ballarat, dated 29th September 1899.

The letter thanks H. V. McKay for the generous present and expresses some doubt as to whether it is right to keep it given the primarily professional nature of the relationship.

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

Single sheet of off-white, lined paper with printed company letterhead. Handwritten text in black ink on both sides.

More Information

  • Collection Names

    Old McKay Archive, H.V. McKay Sunshine Collection

  • Collecting Areas

    Working Life & Trades, Sustainable Futures

  • Acquisition Information

    Donation from Mrs. Cecil Newton McKay (nee Shaw), University of Melbourne Archives (The), circa 1970

  • Recipient

    Mr Hugh V. McKay - H.V. McKay

  • Sender

    F G Haymes

  • Inscriptions

    First page, handwritten, pencil: ' 2/2/3 / Series B ', ' Personal ' First page, printed: ' The Commercial Bank of Australia Limited / Ballarat ' [Further text] First page, handwritten: ' Dear Sir / I thought to have seen you personally [?] this to thank you for the very handsome present you sent me the other day. / I trust you will not think I am in the habit of accepting presents from my clients and indeed I was doubtful whether I was doing strictly right in keeping yours, but it seemed to me, it would be both unkind and ungentlemanly to return to the giver what was offered in so thoughtful and generous a manner. / You know a banker has to do many things unpleasant to himself and against his convictions and common sense. / I am glad to find that our many "brushes" in business has not interfered with the mutual esteem we feel for each others private characters. / Altho [sic] you have severed your business connection with the institution I represent here. I am sure you will feel that my advice and friendship is always cheerfully at your service, should you at any time require it. / With kindest wishes for your future success / Yours very truly / [signature of F. G. Haymes] / To / H V McKay Esq / Yuille St ' Reverse, handwritten, pencil: ' (= F. G. HAYMES) '

  • Classification

    Manufacturing & industry, Agricultural & horticultural equipment, Correspondence

  • Category

    History & Technology

  • Discipline

    Technology

  • Type of item

    Document

  • Overall Dimensions

    252 mm (Width), 203 mm (Height)

  • Keywords

    Banking, Correspondence, Letters, Letterhead, Manufacturers, Handwriting