Reginald Champ papers, concerning silk production in the colonies of Australia, particularly, New South Wales, 1863-1896

MLMSS 9473

fonds

1863-1896

Textual Records, Clippings

1100080

0.16 metres of textual material (1 box)

In 1891 NSW Premier Henry Parkes officially appointed Reginald Champ to initiate a silk industry in New Italy, N.S.W. with government-funded loans to farmers. The opportunity to establish a sericulture industry at New Italy was welcomed by the Italian immigrants as an opportunity to create income closer to home. Prior to the introduction of silk production the men of the community were often away from the settlement during the week working in the timber and sugar cane industries.

Reference:
New Italy Museum. http://newitaly.com.au/ (accessed February 21, 2014)

2 copybooks, 1888-1894 & 1894-1896

Scrapbook of news clippings related to the introduction of a silk industry to New Italy, N.S.W. together with letters to Reginald Champ regarding the cultivation of silk and the introduction of government assistance to support the industry throughout the colonies of Australia. Correspondents include Dr W.L. Cleland and Sir William Robinson. 1888-1892

Letters from the Colonial Secretary's Office to Reginald Champ, concerning the silk industry in New Italy, 1889-1893

Book of Chinese silk chops (tickets to denote grades and qualities of silk), 1884

4 printed booklets titled: The silkworm and its food: an essay towards the introduction of sericulture to the Australian colonies, 1863; Sericulture or, silkworms and how to rear them by R.W. McCulloch, 1893; Silk supply, a guide to sericulture by Thomas Dickins, 1869; Sericulture, part 1., Instructions for propagating and cultivating the white mulberry tree as food for the silk-worm / Reginald Champ. Sydney, 1891.

Sheet of paper with silkworm eggs labelled 'American female yellow, Sydney white male - tested moth 25 Mar 1889'

Partly restricted: - - Copybooks are restricted and will not be issued due to their poor condition.

Copyright status:: In copyright