Full Record

W.A. Museum letters to J. T. Tunney, 1901-1905. Letter book 9L.
Record no:
Author:
Year:
25 June 1901-26 June 1905
Subject:
Notes:
See: Letter book 9L, 1901-1905 for letters sent by Bernard Woodward to Tunney or mentioning his work [kept in Archives room (Bay 5)]
Type:
Xreference-Archives
Abstract:
25 Jun. 1901.
P.1 Letter to Tunney from Woodward: "send photographic negatives to be developed, received 5 crates but not bundle of weapons".

1 Jul. 1901
P.2 To Tunney in Cossack from Woodward notes about cheques.


2 Jul. 1901, 1 p.
P.3 From Woodward: "received photos, send future native weapons in a box as some were broken & stolen, includes copy of instructions from Rothschild, made arrangements for visiting islands, sending box of flax packing, plaster of Paris and collecting apparatus".

21 Jul. 1901, 1 p.
P.4 To Tunney at Port Headland from Woodward : use your discretion as to your journey address.

1 Aug. 1901, 1 p.
P.5 From Woodward: "received letter & telegrams, paid 16 Pounds 13s 4d into your credit, will send receipts, try to see Captain Hilliard when he passes thro Pt. Headland on his way to Broome, he knows Northern Territory, try to photo the ..... cyanotis, do what you think best about your crate".

[2 Aug. 1901], 1 p.
P.6 From Woodward, Captain Hilliard on"Sultan" on Saturday, see him about Alligator River.

3 Aug. 1901, 1 p.
P.7 From Woodward: "enclosing 12 receipts for harness in W.A., anything else owing ? I trust you will see Capt. Hilliard, the advice by him if you think the arrangements he talked over with me would be suitable, then I will write to England & ask for a cable reply, you in the meantime can write fully for a third voyage if successful".

20 Aug. 1901, 1 p.
P.8 From Woodward sending missing papers, some printed forms, details about payments for equipment.

20 Aug. 1901, 2 p.
P.9 From Woodward:" when did you last send any negatives ? I have had 2 lots this year - from Barrow Island and ....... natives and since then Beelong Island & Jenllayian natives. The (roula) & S. cyanotis were good and all the natives came out well. It was unfortunate that you didn't get more of those rats, they are interesting and to dress more wallabies from the islands ..... of the birds [illegible]

P. 10 ... Rothschild interested in specimens from the Alligator River expedition. Do you need more plates for photos of animals and birds, areas of natives and views of special places".

P.11 Text of telegram to Tunney at Port Headland from Woodward: "Make best arrangements you can for Alligator River either work along coasts & call into Port Darwin after Derby or arrange with Hilliard buying boat at price named one hundred 1 p.

P.12 From Woodward to Tunney at Port Headland [illegible] Alligator River, captains, 1 p.

28 Sep. 1901, 1 p.
P.13 From Woodward to Port Headland, 3 letters ; approves plans, Alligator River, travel 20 to 30 miles each side and ought to get 300 birds as well as the mammals. "You will get extra allowances for.... when you cross the border ... you will want... in camps.Go to Derby per Belton on 3rd Oct. letter I will write again".

14 Oct. 1901, 1 p.
P.14 From Woodward: "You will make your way along the Alligator River to work that district thoroughly from 20 to 30 miles on each side from .... to the sea, getting everything you can because the specimens may be ... varieties of apparently only common .... of the islands. W.R.[Rothschild] wishes to get a full description of all the life. Wire if you want any money, I have paid all .... & dates to your credit. Be very careful in packing the skins, they get so shaken in coming down that if the cases are not packed full they get much damaged. Pack the mammals in separate boxes, or at any rate with a division between them and the birds. The last birds (Bedard Island) especially the mallee ones got very much damaged in coming down. Never mind the expense of
 packing thoroughly for that is a trifle compared with the..... the birds".

25 Oct. 1901, 1 p.
P15. From Woodward "Your letters of the 7th to hand. The specimens and negatives have not yet come to hand. .....approves your programme. I paid 26.16... to your credit and will next week pay in the usual monthly amount.........".

P16. From Woodward: "I am duly in receipt of your letter of the 14th October, and have paid monies into your credit at the Western Australian Bank, as per receipt form enclosed.

The three cases arrived on Saturday last, and I regret to say that some of the skins were not sufficiently cleaned, and they have not been packed with sufficient care. It is absolutely necessary to put plenty of material in between the bones and the skins. When possible, if they must be packed in the same case, put in a wooden division-anyhow they must be well separated. The bird skins must be packed tight, as on the long sea voyage if they knock together, they get very much ruffled.

12 Nov. 1901, 1 p.
The Hon. W. Rothschild sends a few labels, which I have sent by this boat. I have had some of Hollis's guns for selection, and I send you one by this steamer one that I think will be altogether to your satisfaction. I will order the trap as soon as I receive the dimensions, which you say you are sending down".

29 Nov. 1901, 1 p.
P.19 From Woodward to Kent White & Co with details about a trap for Tunney to be sent to Derby, cash on delivery.

1 Dec. 1901, 1 p.
P.20 From Woodward to Tunney with details of equipment sent to Port Darwin on "Bullara"(?), Mr Bligh has just brought .... new species .. bandicoot from Pilbara, mentions Tunney's brother.

28 Jan.1902, 2 p.
P.21,22 From Woodward offers to send quinine for Tunney's fever, opened an account at Commercial Bank, Palmerston, Port Darwin, salary in advance ; arrangement with Adelaide S.S.Co. about the trap, sending with it a set of leading harness, 4 in hand whip, an enclosed box with camera, flax packing, primers, shot and mauser cartridges plus a pole, seat and cushion."Mr Bligh's bandicoot not well preserved - please look out for such things on your trip.
 
Rothschild hopes that on the 12 months trip on Alligator River you will get 400 to 500 birds and same number of mammal skins. Do you know a Mr. Rodgers who has been sending specimens from Derby to the other side - a resident or visitor ? Wire me whenever you can & send messages by others about your whereabouts".

28th Jan. 1902, 2 p.
P.23,24 From Woodward - "received native weapons (paid in credit account), glad to see tomahawk - please get many of them and the stone and quartzite spearheads. Some photographs damaged so send them here undeveloped, sending a new camera with detailed instructions. Please do photographs of the natives with and without clothes, your views of the Alligator River district very good".

3 Mar. 1902, 2 p.
P.25, 26 From Woodward to Tunney in Derby, account details. "Should you require any money before leaving Derby, wire me. Your brother has obtained the goods you asked. As metal cartridges could not be had in Perth or Fremantle, I have sent an extra number of Eley's Green. I have asked for latest maps of Palmerston to be sent to you care of the Commercial Bank Palmerston from Adelaide as they were not to be had here.... of the other camera, I sent negs by your brother, I approve arrangements made with him. The two cases of birds and weapons arrived in good condition".

P.27 From Woodward to Tunney, Derby, telegram: Find receipt for another fifteen total paid in 25.16.10 with 9.2 for camera and stand, 1 p.

1 May, 1902
P.28 From Woodward, Your wire to hand,"I was sorry to hear that you had a breakdown, I cannot pay anything to the carriage builders until you tell me. I trust you have had it repaired effectively and that I shall hear of your safe arrival in Palmerston very shortly, wire me from there, you can charge it to WAM".

P.29, 30: 2 pages of accounts

21 May, 1902, 1 p.
P.31 From Woodward to Tunney: Please agree to ...enclosed. The aboriginal weapons are not included, let me know of any differences......I have sent money to....

28 May, 1902, 2 p.
P.32 From Woodward to Tunney in Palmerston "I enclose.... letter and photo...  two... by this mail. During the last twelve months you have sent 409 specimens (counting boxes of insects as one each time).. you having been in barren country for much of the time, but now you are in richer country I shall hope for the normal quantity. I was disappointed in not finding any birds in the last boxes for then the numbers of birds in the Derby district that we have had. The Kimberley party got a new Amytis - I enclose photo & description. It lives in the ironstone country. .... "

P.33 From Woodward to Tunney in Wyndham 6th June sorry to hear of your accident, approve of your suggestions, 7th June write full details of your accident and previous for , claims against maker, 1902.

5th Jan 1903, 1 p.
P.34 From Woodward to Tunney at Brock's Creek," received 8 cases today negatives not yet arrived, please send me acknowledgements of the monies received since 1 July last, separately for 75 pounds and 150 pounds as per paper enclosed was glad to receive maps showing your route. Since starting this letter the negatives have arrived".

P.36. From Woodward to John Tunney at P.R.Allen & Co., Brock's Creek, N.T. : W.B. wishes you to complete the g... on Alligator River,1 p.

22 Jan, 1903
P.37. From Woodward to John T. Tunney c/o P.R.Allen &Co, Brock Creek, Northern Territory: "I enclose statement of account which please let me know the exact amount due to you on salary. The 8 cases have not yet come, I will wire you to let you know about the native weapons. I should like a buffalo bull and cow for this museum, send them with leg bones and skulls, hope you can get some black kangaroos".

P.38 Illegible lists of numbers.

2 Feb.1903.
P.39 From Woodward to Tunney:"glad to hear your arm is getting better ; 8 cases have arrived at Fremantle but not yet at the Museum, am sending you 50 pounds at the Commercial Bank Palmerston, the photographs you sent were very interesting, did you measure the ants' nest ?"

P.40 From Woodward (telegram?) Please send more weapons also photographs of places, natives, camped...... sites if possible, 1 p.

10 Mar, 1903.
P.41 From Woodward to Tunney c/o Commercial Bank : "on 22nd Jan. I sent you a statement showing a credit of 51 pounds 19s 4d, then on 2nd Feb I sent you 50 pounds to Com.Bank, 21 pounds at WA also 1 Pound 15 for native weapons. Kindly send me a receipt. I have written a cheque for 25 pounds for 1st April then another 25 pounds at Com Bank".

10 Mar.1903 1 p.
P.42 From Woodward to Tunney,"I very sorry to hear about your arm & hope it will make a perfect recovery, I have not heard any news about the black kangaroos, how about the buffalo".

April, 2 p.
P.43, 44 From Woodward to Tunney, first page illegible letter, mentions  future W.A. work, with payments, second page lists of monthly expenses.
 
22 May, 1903
P.45 From Woodward to Tunney: "paid 25 pounds to W.A. Bank ; sent a copy of Natural History Notes and another copy to Tunney's father, enclose cuttings from the "West Australian". Last lot of specimens arrived in good condition".
 
 9 July, 1903, 1 p
P.46 Telegram from Woodward to Tunney at Brock Creek: Finish up and return to Perth sell traps and camp things if ... Bring buffalo skins with you.
.
17 July, 1903, 1 p.
P.47 Telegram from Woodward to Tunney at Brock's Creek : Remain till November to finish Alligator.

22 July, 1903.
P.48[blank], 49 From Woodward to Tunney : "I replied by wire to your telegram approving of your desire to stay on the Alligator River until the end of November, so that I presume you will be down here at Christmas or as soon after as possible. I am glad to hear of your success with the smaller mammals and the black Kangaroos".

25 Aug, 1 p.
P.50 From Woodward to Tunney: "your cases have just arrived. I paid... pounds to W A Bank..... and 50 pounds to Commercial..."

18 Sep. 1903.
P.51 From Woodward to Tunney: " I sent you 100 pounds by [reg] mail, hope some more black kangaroos will come down ! That a new Amytis ...... out 26 new species. They... link the collection. When you come down bring a set of Pearl Shells - small to full size, you will have to pay for them ........ scientific. You will do the best you can with horse traps, jobbings ..- you have to cheaper steamers I believe, at Derby and Broome - could you ....better there as small freight costs too much",

2 Sep.1904 1 p.
P.73 From Woodward to Tunney at Kojonup: "I beg to acknowledge your letter of 31st, regret to hear that the skeleton of Macropus irma is a damaged one, shall be obliged by your sending me another one as it is required for an important English Museum and I would not like to send an inferior specimen from W.A. I will post the charts and maps to you early and 50 pounds will be paid to your credit at W.A. Bank ; I trust you will be successful in your quest for Atri on the south coast and get some specimens of Sphenura (Bristle-bird)".

4 Oct, 1904, 1p.
P.124 From Woodward thanking Captain Irvine for sending bearer charts of the South Coastal islands to Tunney.


P.125 Telegram from Woodward to Tunney in Albany: cheque paid, charts today's mail, spirits next Thursday.

?18 Nov. 1904, 1 p.
P.176 From Conigrave to Tunney, Woodward is anxious to get specimens of Island Wallabies and a pair of geese.

1 July ?, 1 p.
P.266 From Woodward to Tunney, received your letter, will talk about the lizard as soon as it arrives, further trip to islands proposed.

3 Feb, 1905,1p.
P.269 From Woodward to chief inspector of fisheries requesting renewal of shooting permit for John T. Tunney, museum collector.

28 Mar. 1905.
P.368 From Woodward to Tunney at Cranbrook: received case, skeleton of Macropus irma, bones missing, black opossums, get a specimen of Myrmecobius young female in young, whole body in spirits.

4 Apr, 1905, 1 p.
P.394 From Woodward to Tunney: send specimens of irma to make up 1 perfect skeleton, Myrmocobius send what you have, glad to have skins of M. pulcherrimus, see you in July.

10 May. 1905. 1 p.
P.431 From Woodward to Tunney: Dr. Hartmeyer of Berlin and Dr Michaelsen of Hamburg want you to get specimens, possum skins arrived safely, Lipfert threw away the incomplete skeletons of Macropus irma, hope you can get to complete ; I sent you a copy of Hartert's report on your Northern Territory birds.

16 May.1905 1p.
P.436 From Woodward to Dr Hartmeyer, arrange for Hartmeyer and Michaelsen to see the invertebrates, written to Tunney.

26 Jun, 1905 1 p.
P.493 From Woodward to Tunney at Cranbrook: "I have paid to your credit at W.A. Bank 3 pounds, kindly return enclosure signed".
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