Lot 878

Description

Port of Sydney Customs, buttons (VR) gilt (5 large, 2 small), maker, D.Jones & Co, Sydney; China Navigation Company, buttons in gilt (4 large, 9 small) maker, Firman & Sons and Stillwell & Son, London; two letters of introduction from Hong Kong to Australian businessman re Mr J.McManus, 2nd Officer of China Navigation Company vessel S.S.Chingtu; photo of Mr McManus; Evening News, Sydney, 16 June 1920 covering visit of Prince of Wales; various personal papers including authority to serve Notice of Requisition, 16 June 1915, by Collector of Customs; RSPCA letter re Honorary Inspector 3 December 1923 and letters relating to retirement in 1923. Many documents charred around edges, photo and letters of introduction unaffected, buttons very fine. (lot)

John Reed McManus b.1863 in Ireland, trained on a Chilean sailing vessel, the 'Esmeralda', sailing around Cape Horn 1870s-1880s. His papers were donated to the present 'Esmeralda' when it was in Sydney several years ago. Late 1880s, John McManus settled his family in Neutral Bay, Sydney and he joined the China Navigation Company. He was 2nd Officer on S.S.Chingtu sailing the China/Australia run. In 1892 he left the sea and became a Customs Officer in Sydney serving in this role until his retirement in 1923. He lived the remaining years of his life at Wallacia, NSW and died about 1942/3.