Ferdinand von Mueller

Memorandum of Agreement made and entered into this twenty eighth day of May A.D. 1887. Between Walter Robert Cuthbertson formerly of Port Darwin in the Northern Territory of South Australia, but now of Melbourne in the Colony of Victoria, Surveyor of the one part and the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia (Victorian Branch) at Melbourne of the other part Witnesseth That the said Walter Robert Cuthbertson — doth for the consideration herinafter mentioned agree to start from Melbourne to Port Moresby British New Guinea with all possible despatch and as soon as practicable after arrival at Port Moresby aforesaid to proceed thence to the Owen Stanley Range of mountains with the view to and for the express purpose of exploring and attaining one of

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one of interlined.

the highest summit of the said range The said Walter Robert Cuthbertson further agrees and binds himself to keep a journal or diary of such Exploration etc. noting therein daily the distances travelled, the nature or description of the çountry travelled over, its Geological formation, occurrence of rocks their character and extent, to collect samples of all metaliferous rocks, gemlike stones etc and to note the occurrence of mineral like lodes and the description of country they traverse to mark the positions of the same on a sketch map, to note the contour of the country along the outward, and homeward routes — description of the soil, timber, grasses and the flora and fauna generally and to sketch the topographical features as approximately as possible — to note the heights of Ranges Mountains and mountain peaks, widths and volume of Rivers, Creeks water courses Waterfalls, Lakes etc, describe the Native tribes met with and as far as possible their habits, customs, dwellings, war implements etc, The said Walter Robert Cuthbertson further agrees to provide and pay for all necessary arms, ammunition, outfits provisions, trade-goods and equipment complete, to pay all costs of passage money or other travelling expenses in connection with or incidental to the expedition, save as hereinafter excepted — To engage or hire all necessary bearers, carriers or assistants and to provide them with provisions equipment, arms amunition etc, as may be necessary and usual in like circumstances, to be responsible for the packing, preserving, conveyance or transit of all collections, specimens etc of whatever kind or nature made during the expedition and to deliver or cause the same to be delivered to the Secretary of the said Society at Melbourne aforesaid free of cost of freight.

And the said Walter Robert Cuthbertson further agrees to forward to the Secretary of the said Society as often as opportunity offers progress reports and copies of his diary — Journal, sketches or maps and such of his collections as may be of special interest, and at the conclusion of the expedition to compile from his said Journal diary, Maps, Sketches and notes a complete account or full resume of this travels, discoveries and observations together with a feature map of the Country explored, And the said Walter Robert Cuthbertson shall with all due diligence after his return to Port Moresby from the completion of the expedition return to Melbourne to give an account to the Council of the Said Society of his exploration and to hand over his Collection Sketches, Maps, Journal etc. And he further agrees to provide Mr William Sayer (who the said Society has appointed to accompany the said expedition in the capacity of Naturalistic Collector) with the usual provisions, carriers etc, from the date of departure from Port Moresby until their return thither free of cost and expense

The Council of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia (Victorian Branch) aforesaid in consideration of the promises hereby agree to pay to the said Walter Robert Cuthbertson the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds per calendar month from the date of his departure from Melbourne in prosecution of the work undertaken by him for the Society as aforesaid for a period of four months and one hundred pounds for the fifth month or pro rata for any less period — In the event of the said Walter Robert Cuthbertson finding it necessary to continue his exploration beyond the 30th day of September 1887 and payment shall be made with the said Walter Robert Cuthbertson as follows, Three hundred and fifty pounds on the execution of this agreement a further instalment of say one hundred and fifty pounds at any time demanded after the expiration of three months from the date hereof, and the balance on completion of the work undertaken by the said Walter Robert Cuthbertson — The said Society shall provide the said Walter Robert Cuthbertson with the necessary funds to pay the within named William Sayer wages or Salary at the rate of Twelve pounds per month during the time he may be actively engaged with the Societys Service and accompany the expedition in the capacity aforesaid the said Society shall pay and discharge all expenses of outfit for the said William Sayer provide him with fire arms, amunition packing material and pay his passage money from Melbourne to Port Moresby and back from Port Moresby to Melbourne

And it is further agreed that in the event of disablement through sickness or from any other cause whatsoever the said Walter Robert Cuthbertson is unable to carry on the work of the exploration herein-before mentioned — the said Society shall not be liable to make any payment to him during such period of delay or loss of time so caused provided that Mr Sayer (who it is mutually understood be treated as Second in Command) be entrusted with and takes the temporary leadership and carries on the exploration uninterruptedly with the consent and concurrence or by order of the said Walter Robert Cuthbertson then and in such case no deduction of pay shall be made

And lastly it is agreed that the Journal diary, notes, sketches, maps and collections of every description or kind whatsoever made by the said Walter Robert Cuthbertson aforesaid shall be the sole property of the said Society and no extract, copy, or part thereof shall be communicated published or otherwise made use of, or given to any person Institution or Society without the consent of the said Society, but the same shall be delivered as hereinbefore provided to the Secretary of the Society or to such other person as the Council of the Said Society may appoint.

And it is fully understood that all Instruments Fire arms Equippage etc. purchased for the use of the said expedition are and shall remain the property of the said Walter Robert Cuthbertson.

And for the due fulfillment of this agreement we the parties hereinbefore described do this twenty eighth day of May in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and Eighty seven hereunto set our hands and seals —

Received on the twenty eighth day of May AD 1887 from A. C. Macdonald Hon Treasurer of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia at Melbourne the sum of Three Hundred and fifty Pounds Sterling.

£350.0.0

Received on the 27th day of October 1887 from the Hon Treasurer of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia Victorian Branch the sum of Three Hundred and twenty five pounds being the balance due to me in full of all claims and demands whatsoever against the said Society in terms of the written agreement

£325