Papers on North Queensland exploration

Henry Ling Roth (1855-1925), ethnologist, investigated and reported on the sugar industry in Queensland, 1878-1884, and was the Honorary Secretary of the Mackay Planters' and Farmers' Association, 1881-1884. Subsequently, he moved to Halifax, England, and became the part-time, then full-time curator of the Bankfield Museum, 1890-1924. He was the author of 'The Tasmanian Aborigines' (1890) and other published works.

Six items relating to exploration in North Queensland, preceded by a list of contents signed 'H. Ling Roth'.

1. "'Map of the Port Mackay District' given to me by Edmund Rawson as the original map made by Captain John Mackay but repudiated by him when published in facsimile in my book. So either Rawson made a mistake or I misunderstood him", 13" x 10½", undated.

2. 'Expedition to Cape York 1862', typescript copied from the 'Brisbane Courier', 15 November 1862, 6 pages.

3. 'Lieut. G.P. Heath's Report on the Pioneer River November-December 1862', a manuscript copy of a report to the Colonial Treasurer, 20 December 1862, 5 pages.

4. 'Lieut. G.P. Heath's Chart of the Pioneer River 1862', a folded lithographed map, 28" x 22", in poor condition.

5. 'Plan of the Mackay District 1877', a folded lithographed map, 22" x 23¾", in poor condition.

6. 'The Mackay Standard Almanac 1879', a folded printed sheet.

Purchased.

Please cite as Cambridge University Library: Royal Commonwealth Society Library, Papers on North Queensland exploration, RCMS 293

The R.C.S. Manuscripts Collection includes Roth's volume of newscuttings on the Queensland sugar industry, 1878-1884.

Donald H. Simpson, ed., 'The manuscript catalogue of the library of the Royal Commonwealth Society' (London, 1975), p. 168. Indexed

This collection level description was created by RAS.