Summary heading
Function and purpose
Series M3603 largely comprises papers accumulated by Sir
Joseph Cook in his capacity as Prime Minister, Minister for Defence, Minister
for the Navy, Treasurer and Australian High Commissioner to Britain. The papers, which evidently represent only
a small selection of the records created by Sir Joseph Cook while in these
official positions, had lost their original order and have therefore been
grouped into items by National Archives primarily according to the portfolio or
position held.
Of significance is correspondence accumulated by Cook as
Prime Minister concerning Norfolk Island and the 1914 federal election,
correspondence as Minister for Defence regarding Lord Kitchener’s visit, as
well as correspondence about Cook’s knighthood nomination and the 1920 visit by
the Prince of Wales. Also included are
the speech notes used by Cook’s wife, Lady Mary Cook, to unveil the honour role
at Manly on his behalf.
Some papers in the series are of a more personal nature
such as farewell correspondence received upon Cook’s retirement as High
Commissioner in 1927, Christmas cards (many from well known dignitaries) and an
acknowledgment from Dame Enid Lyons for condolences received on the death of
her husband, Joseph Lyons.
Related legislation
Using the series
Language of material
Physical characteristics
System of arrangement and control
Single number control symbols [1]-[8] have been imposed on
the items in this series by National Archives.
Relationships with other records
Finding aids
Access conditions
Series history
In 1993 the Cook family donated Sir Joseph Cook papers,
including series M3603, to the National Archives of Australia. The collection was initially located at the
New South Wales Office of National Archives but was transferred to the National
Office of National Archives in Canberra in 2001.
Provenance
Series M3603 is part of the personal collection of former
Prime Minister Sir Joseph Cook. As it
contains some official correspondence accumulated as a Government Minister,
Prime Minister and Australian High Commissioner to Britain, relevant agencies
have been registered as co-recorders of the series. The Cook family donated the collection to the National Archives
in 1993.
Immediate source of acquisition
Custodial history
Quantity in agency custody
Disposal history
Publication note
Additional information
End notes
Sources