VPRS 962 Outward Letter Books (Colonial Engineer) to the Colonial Secretary

Full description

The first Clerk of Works, responsible for the construction, maintenance, rental and furnishing of public buildings was appointed in 1837. This office continued to be responsible for these functions until 1851 and separation from New South Wales, when the former Clerk of Works, Henry Ginn, became Colonial Architect. By October 1852 a Colonial Engineer had been appointed and appears to have exercised joint responsibility with the Colonial Architect for the construction, maintenance, rental and furnishings of public buildings and was responsible for roads and bridges and other public works with the Superintendent of Bridges. An amalgamation of the functions of the Colonial Architect and of the Colonial Engineer occurred by 1854 with the position of Colonial Architect no longer existing. The Colonial Engineer and the Central Road Board (VA 2803) continued as the major public works authorities until the appointment of the Commissioner of Public Works in 1855

This series contains the outwards correspondence of the Colonial Engineer addressed to the Colonial Secretary. Matters included requests for authorisation to pay vouchers, reports on potential building sites, the progress of current projects and proposals for future works.

The former unit 3 of this series is now registered as VPRS 12114 Outward Letter Book (Colonial Engineer) and the former Unit 4 is now registered as VPRS 12115 Outward Correspondence (Colonial Engineer) (1853-1854); Summary of Works (1856-1857). Both these series provide copies of the other more general correspondence of the Colonial Engineer with other Government Departments and officials, contractors and subordinates.