The Hartnett Papers

 

 

On March 15, 1934, L.J. Hartnett, and his family arrived in Sydney, to be met by Sir Wallace Bruce, A. G. Rymill and John S Storey, then associated with the GMH Body Depot in that city.  On the following day, Hartnett re-opened the Marrickville assembly plant at Sydney, which had been closed throughout the recession. Three days later, he and his party left to drive overland by car to Melbourne to commence his new and arduous duties.

The files below belonged to L J Hartnett personally and for many years have been kept in a safe at GMH headquarters in Melbourne, marked for his eyes only, so were obviously important to him.  They reflect mainly on the arrangements for his earlier visit to Australia whilst in the employ of Vauxhall, and later,the circumstances of his dismissal from the post of Managing Director of GMH, a position he did not relinquish easily.

DateToFromBrief Content OutlineLink
1929 Oct 19Innes Randolph, GMATipper NYHartnett will be in Australia in December, Have advanced GMH order for two Vauxhall cars for demonstrations while he is there. PDF
1929 Nov 18Innes Randolph, GMA GM LondonYour inventory levels suggest you are ready to place orders; appreciate advance notice of number and when. PDF
1929 Nov 19 Innes Randolph, GMAL J Hartnett in NZArriving Sydney mid-December, Then Brisbane, Melbourne 10th January. After Adelaide and Perth, please book a steamer for Durban. PDF
1929 Nov 20Innes Randolph, GMAL J Hartnett in NZArriving Sydney mid-December, Then Brisbane, Melbourne 10th January. After Adelaide and Perth, please book a steamer for Durban. PDF
1929 Nov 21 Hartnett in NZAbell, GMAArrange program coming direct to Melbourne first. PDF
1929 Nov 21Innes Randolph, GMAL J Hartnett in NZSydney and Brisbane on way to Melbourne so makes sense to go there on the way to Melbourne. PDF
1929 Nov 26 Innes Randolph, GMAGM London Anxiously awaiting the outcome of phone discussions on 18th Nov. PDF
1929 Nov 26 GM LondonInnes Randolph, GMAHartnett arriving mid-December, will discuss orders with him. PDF
1929 Dec 3 Abell, GMALJ Hartnett in NZOnly spending three months in Australia so more efficient to go Brisbane and Sydney before Melbourne. Please advise. PDF
1929 Dec 4 Hartnett AustInnes Randolph, GMABetter geographically, but better for business if come to Melbourne first. Best use coastal ships to other places. Making Durban bookings PDF
1929 Dec 5Innes Randolph, GMAGMNZHartnett arriving Sydney 21st December on Tahiti. PDF
1929 Dec 11CJ Bartnett MD, GM LondonInnes Randolph, GMADelighted to have support with Vauxhall problem; Expect Hartnett will be valuable asset in sorting it out. PDF
1941 April 22L J HartnettH B Phillips, Regional DirectorArrangements to relieve Operating Directors of owning own real estate and leasing it back to them on favourable rates. PDF
1941 April 22 L J HartnettH B Phillips, Regional DirectorAdjustment to remuneration and housing PDF
1942 Oct 15Ladin GMOCStradella GMOCHartnett has some locally approved benefits; Please check those approvals are properly recorded and advise what they are. PDF
1944 Jan 10L J HartnettEdward Riley, General Manager, GMOCRe our discussion on your future assignments, defer a decision until you speak to Phillips who will visit soon. PDF
1944 Jan 26Edward Riley, General Manager, GMOCL J HartnettWill hold everything in abeyance for now.  Everything going very well here, commended by London. PDF
1945 May 17 L J HartnettHarvey NYRuled ineligible for Holden Superannuation Plan, so will continue on GM Corporate Plan. PDF
1945 Nov 28 J R McKenzie, Secretary, GMH BoardL J HartnettAdvising of various positions held outside GMH and asking for advice on suitability. PDF
1946 April 1 1946 April 1 Tx Harvey to Burr1946 April 1 Tx Harvey to BurrExplaining difference between to financial figures quoted. PDF
1946 Nov 14 L J HartnettJ R McKenzie, Company Secretary, GMHAll Directors to advise any interests they hold in any outside companies doing business with GMH PDF
1946 Nov 16J R McKenzie, Company Secretary, GMHL J HartnettStatement of all directorships and interests held by Hartnett. PDF
1946 Nov 21 J R McKenzie, Company Secretary, GMHL J HartnettShort response to McKenzie letter of Nov 14th. PDF
1946 Nov 27 L J HartnettEdward Riley, General Manager, GMOCMr Bettle will take over as Managing Director. Hartnett to go to New York office for "indoctrination". PDF
1946 Dec 20Edward Riley, General Manager, GMOCL J HartnettResponse to Riley, Upset by letter; gives his version of the 1944 discussion, and why he cannot go to NY now. PDF
1947 Jan 71947 Jan 7 Hartnett to BettleL J HartnettPer your verbal request, flying to NY against Doctor's orders. Please give a letter expressing the need and urgency for the trip. PDF
1947 Jan 10 1947 Jan 10 Hartnett to Sir Edward HoldenL J HartnettThanks for indemnity against health failure whilst on trip. Problems with shareholder resolution passed today for Joint MDs with H Bettle. PDF 
1947 Jan 10J R McKenzie, Secretary, GMH BoardL J HartnettNot able to take home leave due, as flying to NY. Add to other outstanding leave (three months Home leave for every three years served) PDF
1947 Jan 13 L J HartnettH E Bettle, Regional ManagerConfirms need for urgency and reasons for flying necessary.  PDF
1947 Jan 13 L J HartnettSir Edward Holden, Chairman, GMHConfirms indemnity for the trip to NY, has written to Ed Riley in support. PDF
1947 Jan 13 Edward Riley, General Manager, GMOCSir Edward Holden, Chairman, GMHGMH Board feels strongly that it should consist only of Australian members PDF
1947 Jan 15J R McKenzie, Secretary, GMH BoardL J HartnettAdvises has taken out personal accident insurance costing 17 Pounds ten Shillings and assumes GMH will cover this cost. PDF
1947 Jan 15 J R McKenzie, Secretary, GMH BoardL J HartnettPlease act for me while away, advance money if required to Mrs Hartnett, keep car and driver at her disposal. PDF
1947 Jan 16J R McKenzie, Secretary, GMH BoardL J HartnettRemarks on decision of the Shareholders meeting to appoint Joint Managing Directors PDF
1947 Jan 28 F P WhiteL Williamson Confirming that Hartnett is entitled to Health and accident insurance for NY trip,  as agreed by the Chairman. PDF
1947 Mar 6 Harvey, GMH FinanceBurr, GMNY FinanceRequesting Hartnett's income details PDF
1947 Mar 13 Burr, GMNY FinanceHarvey, GMH FinanceResponse to March 6th request 
1947 Mar 29Harvey, GMH FinanceBurr, GMNY FinanceRequesting Hartnett's income from property PDF
1947 April 11 Bulletin re LJH resignationCompany Bulletin announcing Hartnett's retirement. PDF
1947 April 11 Letter re LJH Resignation Letter sent to all Dealers and Distributors announcing Hartnett's retirement. PDF
1947 Aug 4 Harvey, GMH FinanceBurr, GMNY FinanceRequesting details of Other Income and Bonus amounts for 1947 tax. PDF
1947 Aug 15 Burr, GMNY FinanceHarvey, GMH FinanceResponse to August 4th request 
1947 Oct 16GMNY to Bettle, MDGMNY Hartnett and family leaving Honolulu Nov 7th, arriving Sydney 9th November. PDF