John Hamilton Tetley (c1905-1964) was a parasitologist and one time head of the Zoological Department of Massey Agricultural College. He was later on the staff of the Grasslands Division of the D.S.I.R.
Dr Tetley was also a keen amateur artist, being particularly active during the 1940s and 1950s. He enjoyed exhibiting his works and was involved in the promotion of local art. Apart from the artistic skills exhibited his work is of interest for its local content, capturing a Palmerston North that now no longer exists. Notable in the collection are a number of pictures that depict the former railway yards in Main Street.
The archive consists of 27 works of art, mainly pen and wash and water colour, deposited by his widow in 1983. While these works are not dated they are believed to have been done in the 1940-50s.
