[D9241ADU], Letter from George N Morison to Stephen Fossa Moriarty, December 6th, 1892
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/D9241ADU
Transcription
Letterhead of the Edison United Phonograph Company New York, December 6th 1892 S. F. Moriarty Esq., London, England. My dear Mr. Moriarty:- I am writing a letter to-day to the London Office, advising them of the drafts paid by Messrs J. & W. Seligman & Co:, for account of Messrs Seligman Bros:, and I find an item of £49 paid to the National Telephone Company, which has not appeared on the statements of the Foreign Committee, I have therefor requested them to send us the particulars of this item. We are in receipt of a letter from Messrs W. H. Masters 34 Queen Street, Melbourne, who is the Agent or rather the house in Australia through whom the Thomson-Houston International Electric Co:, conducts their business, and Mr. Flesch has joined this concern to organize the whole Australian business, as they express it, “under the new consideration with the General Electric Co:”, and probably it would not be amiss to give you an extract or two from their letter as follows:- “There are some good [prospects?] to introduce the Phonograph here in the Government offices, and private offices in connection with the typewriter, and we have been asked by the Agents of the Remington Typewriter to order a few Phonographs, as they are inclined to put two Phonographs up on their premises, and to advocate its introduction. To sell the Patents of the Phonograph now is impossible, considering the financial depression in the Colonies, but we could obtain good royalties for the use of the machines. [illegible text] Mr. Holland from Canada arrived by the same steamer as Mr. Flesch, and brought with him two Phonographs, which he bought from the North American Phonograph Company, and which was manufactured for the sole use in Canada, their numbers are 6298, & 6299, Mr. Flesch pointed out to Mr. Holland that he is not allowed to use this Phonograph in Australia: The said gentleman brought also Smith Typewriter, and his intention is to open offices in Sydney, he was stenographer for the Canadian Government. The Phonograph which Messrs Mc Mahon’s imported have disappeared from here, and are somewhere in Australia.” Mr. Masters also solicits the Agency for the Phonograph, and adds that he anticipates a good business there in recent Phonographs against royalties, or in selling machines. I am also in receipt of a letter from George Kelly, Chapel St., St. Albans, Christchurch, New Zealand, who advises us that he paid Mc Mahon 250 pounds sterling for a Phonograph, but that he has no wish to act dishonestly or in an underhanded manner. I send you a copy of this letter, as I think it will probably be of interest to you. Yours very truly, G. N. Morison Secretary. You know that Holland Brothers are the agents for the Phonograph in Canada New York, November 12th 1892 Christchurch New Zealand Novr 1st 1892 The Secretary Edison United Phonograph Co: NEW YORK Dear Sir:- About twelve months ago I purchased in Sydney from McMahan one of your Phonographs, I paid 250 pounds for it, and have been delivering lectures, and exhibiting it in this colony. When I purchased it, I instructed my solicitor to ascertain that the vender had a legal right to sell, and as he was satisfied I completed the purchase, recently a Professor Archibald arrived and advertised himself as your sole Agent for Australia in New Zealand, and he also threatened to take out an injunction against me. Will you kindly inform me by return mail whether Archibald is your Agent, and also whether which I have is under interdiction. I have no wish to act dishonestly or in an underhanded manner,. If Archibald's statements are incorrect, will you allow me to publicly contradict them. Yours faithfully. George Kelly Will you also state whether you will supply me with high class Phonograms, Address Chapel Street, St. Albans Christchurch, New Zealand