| Description | Much of the correspondence is taken up with discussion of means of furthering the construction of the railway and the financial measures forced upon the company as a result of the railway's postponement. Other correspondence relates to the case made out by the company to the Western Australian government for the extension of its mining leases until such time as the railway afforded the opportunity for the proper working of the mines.
The chief correspondents, and the major subjects about which they wrote to P.L. Gell, are:
Beeton, Northern Rhodesia A partner in the firm of Woolston, Beeton, Brodrick &
West, stockbrokers to British Exploration of Australasia, Ltd.
Birchenough, (John) Henry, later 1st Bt. (1853-1937). A director of British Exploration of Australasia, Ltd., 1900-1904;
a friend and colleague of P.L. Gell on the board of the British South Africa Company
Bissett, Sir William Sinclair Smith (1843-1916). Colonel, R.E.;
government director of Indian railways, 1897-1901;
a director of British Exploration of Australasia, Ltd., 1908-1909.
Brodrick, Laurence Alan (1864-1915). A partner in the firm of Woolston, Beeton, Brodrick &
West, stockbrokers to British Exploration of Australasia, Ltd.;
brother of St. John Brodrick.
Brodrick, St. John, 9th Viscount Midleton, later 1st Earl of Midleton (1856-1942). A large shareholder in British Exploration of Australasia, Ltd.;
a member of the committee of shareholders appointed to treat with the directors on the state of the company, 1907.
Cohen, W.H. Stockbroker, of London. Correspondence includes reference to his negotiations with various parties to obtain greater capital for British Exploration of Australasia, Ltd.;
his contacts were especially with Charles de Pass, Baron Emile d'Erlanger and Pauling &
Company
Compton, Henry. Businessman, of London. A director of British Exploration of Australasia, Ltd., 1900-1909;
a director of Millionaire Ltd.
Erlanger, Baron Emile Beaumont d' (1866-1939). Businessman and banker, of London and Paris. Correspondence includes reference to his possible co-operation with Pauling &
Company and British Exploration of Australasia, Ltd., in the construction of a railway from Port Hedland.
Filgate, A.J. Colonel, R.E., and businessman. A director of British Exploration of Australasia, Ltd., 1900-1909;
a director of Westralia Mount Morgans Gold Mines Company Ltd.
Gardiner, A.C. Agent, representative and later general manager of British Exploration of Australasia, Ltd., in north-west Australia, 1901-1909. Liquidator of the company in Western Australia, 1909-1910.
Gell, Cyril Annesley. Company secretary, of London;
partner in Messrs. Beavis &
Gell, Austin Friars;
a cousin of P.L. Gell.
Morgans, Alfred Edward (b. 1850). The original owner of the properties which formed the assets on flotation of British Exploration of Australasia, Ltd.;
managing director of the company 1900-1909. Originating from south Wales, Morgans had spent several years in Central America and Mexico before going to Western Australia in 1896. He was elected a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia for Coolgardie, 1897-1904, and was premier and treasurer in 1901. He was also the original owner of the Lalla Rookh mine, transferred to the British Exploration of Australasia, Ltd., and the owner and later the managing director of the Millionaire Ltd. and Westralia Mount Morgans Gold Mines Company Ltd., both gold mining ventures in Western Australia.
Morgans, William. Businessman, of London;
a brother of A.E. Morgans.
Ottley, Sir John Walter (1841-1931). Colonel, R.E.;
president, R.I.E. College, 1899-1906;
a director of British Exploration of Australasia, Ltd., 1908-1909.
Ridsdale, Edward Aurelian (1864-1923). M.P. for Brighton, 1906-1910;
a shareholder of British Exploration of Australasia, Ltd.
Stokes, W.J. (d. 1904). Businessman, of London;
a director of British Exploration of Australasia, Ltd., 1900-1904.
Weir, J.K., jun. Mining engineer, Western Australia;
manager of British Exploration of Australasia's north-western properties until 1903.
Winter, Charles Albert. Businessman, of London;
a director of British Exploration of Australasia, Ltd., 1900-1907;
a director of Westralia Mount Morgans Gold Mines Company Ltd. |