6: Replies from Secretaries of State to Novar, 1914-1920

Containers:

Box 2

Component identifier:

Series

Content Summary:

These are 'Private' and Personal' replies to Novar's personal despatches (Items 524-1294) and his official despatches (Items 1573-2332). Usually only brief, the letters note and approve Novar's actions and reply to points raised. The series appears complete. Subjects covered include conduct and progress of the War; personal matters; Australia's relations with Japan; the Pacific region and German colonies; Australian and British politics generally; the status of Governor-General and State Governors; WM Hughes' visits to England; the Peace Conference; and the visit of Prince of Wales to Australia.

Comprises Items 1295-1572

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers were received in 1961 from Mr A.B.L. Munro Ferguson and the Trustees of the late Viscount Novar. Thirty photographs copied from the Novar albums in the possession of Mr Munro Ferguson were added to the collection in 1985. Subsequent additions include five illuminated manuscripts purchased from a dealer in 1990 and transcripts of extracts from Novar's diaries donated by Professor John Poynter in 1997. Six volumes of diaries, on long-term loan from Mr Ronald Munro Ferguson (great nephew of Lord Novar), were added to the collection on 12 January 2004. The diaries were kept by Lord Novar while he was Governor General of Australia between 1915 and 1920.

Access and use