Comprises: four notebooks assembled by Johnston on aspects of law, history and administration in Ceylon; letter-book containing regulations relating to Roman Catholics in Ceylon; copies of law officers and counsels' opinions on various colonial acts. Note that 'Notebook V', extract from statement concerning the arrival of Chalias in Ceylon (presented by Professor Lee alongside the rest of the collection and listed in Donald Simpson's 1975 manuscript catalogue) is missing.

The collection principally consists of draft texts, offprints and correspondence relating to articles, lectures and broadcasts delivered by Hamson. Some correspondence, most of which concerns various honours and offices held, is also included, together with a small number of items relating to Hamson’s school and university education.