Menu
WCC, City Engineer's letter books of outwards correspondence to the Town Clerk
Descriptive Data
Archives Identifier00302Date Range1899-1926DescriptionThis series consists of copies of the outwards correspondence from the City Engineer to the Town Clerk, 1899 to 1926. Occasionally there are copies of inwards letters, and letters to the Mayor and Councillors or other officials. A few letters contain the full text of reports submitted to the Town Clerk (v.1 p. 244.). Some later letters are from 'Waterworks & Drainage Engineer', signed by J W Morice (v.31)
There are 30 volumes extant; one volume is missing, 1902-? May1903. The first two volumes were used also, starting from the back, for entering copies of outwards letters to the City Treasurer, see Series 00303. The letter books begin in May 1899 after the arrival of R S Rounthwaite in the newly created position of resident City Engineer, and end in April 1926 about the time that file registration was changed to the multiple-number subject system - Series 00009.
The letters and memos cover all aspects of the City Engineer's work, from routine matters of water and drains, streets, tramways, buildings, licensing related tradesmen, to giving special advice on the designs submitted for the new Town Hall. They also show evidence of the Engineer's relationship with the other officials within his department such as the Water Inspector. A few early entries contain diagrams and drawings within the entry. Index: Subjects or street names, and very few personal or business names. For personal names see Series 00304, General outwards correspondence.
Entries are annotated in blue or red pencil with a reference indicating whether and when it was delivered, 'D', or posted, 'P', and a date, signed with initials, presumably of actioning officer. Pencil ticks indicate that indexing was completed.
Associated records include Town Clerk's Series 00297 Outwards correspondence letter books to the City Surveyor and City Engineer, and the City Engineer's other outwards correspondence and copies of related documents: Series 00303 (using last pages of 00302 v.1), Series 00304 General outwards letters, Series 00305 Specifications, Series 00306 to Outwards correspondence to Water Inspector/ Plumbing Inspector. Subsequent series: Series 00009 City Engineer's Department filesQuantity (Linear Metres)3.3MediumBound VolumeSystem of ArrangementChronologically by date of outwards letterCollection TypeWellington City Council
There are 30 volumes extant; one volume is missing, 1902-? May1903. The first two volumes were used also, starting from the back, for entering copies of outwards letters to the City Treasurer, see Series 00303. The letter books begin in May 1899 after the arrival of R S Rounthwaite in the newly created position of resident City Engineer, and end in April 1926 about the time that file registration was changed to the multiple-number subject system - Series 00009.
The letters and memos cover all aspects of the City Engineer's work, from routine matters of water and drains, streets, tramways, buildings, licensing related tradesmen, to giving special advice on the designs submitted for the new Town Hall. They also show evidence of the Engineer's relationship with the other officials within his department such as the Water Inspector. A few early entries contain diagrams and drawings within the entry. Index: Subjects or street names, and very few personal or business names. For personal names see Series 00304, General outwards correspondence.
Entries are annotated in blue or red pencil with a reference indicating whether and when it was delivered, 'D', or posted, 'P', and a date, signed with initials, presumably of actioning officer. Pencil ticks indicate that indexing was completed.
Associated records include Town Clerk's Series 00297 Outwards correspondence letter books to the City Surveyor and City Engineer, and the City Engineer's other outwards correspondence and copies of related documents: Series 00303 (using last pages of 00302 v.1), Series 00304 General outwards letters, Series 00305 Specifications, Series 00306 to Outwards correspondence to Water Inspector/ Plumbing Inspector. Subsequent series: Series 00009 City Engineer's Department filesQuantity (Linear Metres)3.3MediumBound VolumeSystem of ArrangementChronologically by date of outwards letterCollection TypeWellington City Council
Access Information
Restriction StatusOpen
Related Agencies
Controlling or Creating AgencyCity Engineer's DepartmentRelationship Date Range1923-1972
WCC, City Engineer's letter books of outwards correspondence to the Town Clerk. Archives Online, accessed 31/03/2026, https://archivesonline.wcc.govt.nz/nodes/view/1796








