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.
| Date | To | From | Brief Content Outline | Link |
| 1929 Oct 19 | Innes Randolph, GMA | Tipper NY | Hartnett will be in Australia in December, Have advanced GMH order for two Vauxhall cars for demonstrations while he is there. | |
| 1929 Nov 18 | Innes Randolph, GMA | GM London | Your inventory levels suggest you are ready to place orders; appreciate advance notice of number and when. | |
| 1929 Nov 19 | Innes Randolph, GMA | L J Hartnett in NZ | Arriving Sydney mid-December, Then Brisbane, Melbourne 10th January. After Adelaide and Perth, please book a steamer for Durban. | |
| 1929 Nov 20 | Innes Randolph, GMA | L J Hartnett in NZ | Arriving Sydney mid-December, Then Brisbane, Melbourne 10th January. After Adelaide and Perth, please book a steamer for Durban. | |
| 1929 Nov 21 | Hartnett in NZ | Abell, GMA | Arrange program coming direct to Melbourne first. | |
| 1929 Nov 21 | Innes Randolph, GMA | L J Hartnett in NZ | Sydney and Brisbane on way to Melbourne so makes sense to go there on the way to Melbourne. | |
| 1929 Nov 26 | Innes Randolph, GMA | GM London | Anxiously awaiting the outcome of phone discussions on 18th Nov. | |
| 1929 Nov 26 | GM London | Innes Randolph, GMA | Hartnett arriving mid-December, will discuss orders with him. | |
| 1929 Dec 3 | Abell, GMA | LJ Hartnett in NZ | Only spending three months in Australia so more efficient to go Brisbane and Sydney before Melbourne. Please advise. | |
| 1929 Dec 4 | Hartnett Aust | Innes Randolph, GMA | Better geographically, but better for business if come to Melbourne first. Best use coastal ships to other places. Making Durban bookings | |
| 1929 Dec 5 | Innes Randolph, GMA | GMNZ | Hartnett arriving Sydney 21st December on Tahiti. | |
| 1929 Dec 11 | CJ Bartnett MD, GM London | Innes Randolph, GMA | Delighted to have support with Vauxhall problem; Expect Hartnett will be valuable asset in sorting it out. | |
| 1941 April 22 | L J Hartnett | H B Phillips, Regional Director | Arrangements to relieve Operating Directors of owning own real estate and leasing it back to them on favourable rates. | |
| 1941 April 22 | L J Hartnett | H B Phillips, Regional Director | Adjustment to remuneration and housing | |
| 1942 Oct 15 | Ladin GMOC | Stradella GMOC | Hartnett has some locally approved benefits; Please check those approvals are properly recorded and advise what they are. | |
| 1944 Jan 10 | L J Hartnett | Edward Riley, General Manager, GMOC | Re our discussion on your future assignments, defer a decision until you speak to Phillips who will visit soon. | |
| 1944 Jan 26 | Edward Riley, General Manager, GMOC | L J Hartnett | Will hold everything in abeyance for now. Everything going very well here, commended by London. | |
| 1945 May 17 | L J Hartnett | Harvey NY | Ruled ineligible for Holden Superannuation Plan, so will continue on GM Corporate Plan. | |
| 1945 Nov 28 | J R McKenzie, Secretary, GMH Board | L J Hartnett | Advising of various positions held outside GMH and asking for advice on suitability. | |
| 1946 April 1 | 1946 April 1 Tx Harvey to Burr | 1946 April 1 Tx Harvey to Burr | Explaining difference between to financial figures quoted. | |
| 1946 Nov 14 | L J Hartnett | J R McKenzie, Company Secretary, GMH | All Directors to advise any interests they hold in any outside companies doing business with GMH | |
| 1946 Nov 16 | J R McKenzie, Company Secretary, GMH | L J Hartnett | Statement of all directorships and interests held by Hartnett. | |
| 1946 Nov 21 | J R McKenzie, Company Secretary, GMH | L J Hartnett | Short response to McKenzie letter of Nov 14th. | |
| 1946 Nov 27 | L J Hartnett | Edward Riley, General Manager, GMOC | Mr Bettle will take over as Managing Director. Hartnett to go to New York office for "indoctrination". | |
| 1946 Dec 20 | Edward Riley, General Manager, GMOC | L J Hartnett | Response to Riley, Upset by letter; gives his version of the 1944 discussion, and why he cannot go to NY now. | |
| 1947 Jan 7 | 1947 Jan 7 Hartnett to Bettle | L J Hartnett | Per your verbal request, flying to NY against Doctor's orders. Please give a letter expressing the need and urgency for the trip. | |
| 1947 Jan 10 | 1947 Jan 10 Hartnett to Sir Edward Holden | L J Hartnett | Thanks for indemnity against health failure whilst on trip. Problems with shareholder resolution passed today for Joint MDs with H Bettle. | |
| 1947 Jan 10 | J R McKenzie, Secretary, GMH Board | L J Hartnett | Not able to take home leave due, as flying to NY. Add to other outstanding leave (three months Home leave for every three years served) | |
| 1947 Jan 13 | L J Hartnett | H E Bettle, Regional Manager | Confirms need for urgency and reasons for flying necessary. | |
| 1947 Jan 13 | L J Hartnett | Sir Edward Holden, Chairman, GMH | Confirms indemnity for the trip to NY, has written to Ed Riley in support. | |
| 1947 Jan 13 | Edward Riley, General Manager, GMOC | Sir Edward Holden, Chairman, GMH | GMH Board feels strongly that it should consist only of Australian members | |
| 1947 Jan 15 | J R McKenzie, Secretary, GMH Board | L J Hartnett | Advises has taken out personal accident insurance costing 17 Pounds ten Shillings and assumes GMH will cover this cost. | |
| 1947 Jan 15 | J R McKenzie, Secretary, GMH Board | L J Hartnett | Please act for me while away, advance money if required to Mrs Hartnett, keep car and driver at her disposal. | |
| 1947 Jan 16 | J R McKenzie, Secretary, GMH Board | L J Hartnett | Remarks on decision of the Shareholders meeting to appoint Joint Managing Directors | |
| 1947 Jan 28 | F P White | L Williamson | Confirming that Hartnett is entitled to Health and accident insurance for NY trip, as agreed by the Chairman. | |
| 1947 Mar 6 | Harvey, GMH Finance | Burr, GMNY Finance | Requesting Hartnett's income details | |
| 1947 Mar 13 | Burr, GMNY Finance | Harvey, GMH Finance | Response to March 6th request | PDF |
| 1947 Mar 29 | Harvey, GMH Finance | Burr, GMNY Finance | Requesting Hartnett's income from property | |
| 1947 April 11 | Bulletin re LJH resignation | Company Bulletin announcing Hartnett's retirement. | ||
| 1947 April 11 | Letter re LJH Resignation | Letter sent to all Dealers and Distributors announcing Hartnett's retirement. | ||
| 1947 Aug 4 | Harvey, GMH Finance | Burr, GMNY Finance | Requesting details of Other Income and Bonus amounts for 1947 tax. | |
| 1947 Aug 15 | Burr, GMNY Finance | Harvey, GMH Finance | Response to August 4th request | PDF |
| 1947 Oct 16 | GMNY to Bettle, MD | GMNY | Hartnett and family leaving Honolulu Nov 7th, arriving Sydney 9th November. | |