H.B. Carter using fleece density calipers. Image – Clive Dalton, NZ.

THE archives of one of Australia’s most important wool scientists – Dr HB Carter — are due to arrive in Australia later this month.

Western District wool grower Peter Small said the arrival of the archives consignment of the late Dr Carter is imminent although the exact date depends on shipping logistics.

Mr Small said on arrival, the archives will be shipped to RIST near Hamilton for short-term storage, awaiting appraisal by Dr Paul Swan and Dr Peter Howe.

Mr Small said the industry is indebted to former Australian Council of Wool Exporters and Processors executive director Peter Morgan, whose assistance has been invaluable, particularly in the negotiation with federal authorities for the importation of skin and wool samples.

Wool grower Peter Small with his front-seat collie Jock.

He also thanked Dr Carter’s daughter-in- law Margaret Carter who has stored the acrchives at Orpington in Greater London since Dr Carter’s death in 2005.

Dr Harold Burnell Carter, (1910-2005) made a significant contribution to the development of the Australian Merino. His contribution was of economic and historical significance and revolved around the unique characteristics of the Merino’s skin and the capacity of the Merino to produce large quantities of fine silky soft fibres; fibres keenly sought after by the world textile trade ever since the 19th century.

Mr Small said Dr Carter created a unique understanding of the productivity of the skin of the Merino with his intense observation under the microscope of skin sections taken from many thousands of Merinos. He worked out how the relationships of the primary and secondary fibres, and the suint and wax glands of the skin of the Australian Merino, influenced wool production and wool quality.

Click here to read Mr Small’s full case for retaining the Carter archives.