NRS-12542 | Minute books [Board of Advice and Reference, Public Works]

Full description

The Board of Reference of the Public Works Department was composed of the Under Secretary for Public Works (Chairman), the President of the Water and Sewerage Branch, the Commissioner and Engineer-in-Chief for Roads and Bridges (afterwards called the Engineer-in-Chief for Public Works), the Engineer-in-Chief for Railway Construction and the Government Architect.

The major functions of the Board were the examination of all major tenders submitted and submissions for allocation of funds for specific projects, repairs and services. Where tenders were accepted the Board minutes note any additional conditions required of contractors and discuss the ability of contractors to perform the work in the light of conditions imposed. In addition the Board recommended the calling of tenders for the supply of building materials for the Department (eg. timber, cement).

Recommendations of the Board were submitted to the Minister, whose decision in each case is recorded in the minutes.

The Board was reconstituted in February 1961. Its changed membership was as follows: Chief Engineer (Chairman), Assistant Director, Government Architect, Principal Engineer - Water Supply and Sewerage, Principal Engineer - Harbours and Rivers, Principal Designing Engineer, Secretary, Accountant.

13 May 1895-1909 (7/5834-41), 12 May 1933-28 Nov 1975 (3/5933-43, 3/8447-81), 28 Nov 1975-31 Mar 1978 (9/4141-45), 29 Jul-16 Dec 1977, 14 Apr 1978-20 Feb 1987 (10/50255-50287). 33 boxes, 59 vols.

Note: 
This description is extracted from Concise Guide to the State Archives of New South Wales, 3rd Edition 2000.