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WCC, City Engineer's letter books of general outwards correspondence
Descriptive Data
Archives Identifier00304Date Range1899?-1926DescriptionThis series consists of copies of the City Engineer's general outwards letters, that is, to others than the Town Clerk. It is one of several series recording copies of the outwards letters from the City Engineer - see also 00302, to Town Clerk; 00303, to City Treasurer.
There are 54 volumes extant; those missing include the first volume, so the series start date is unknown. The series probably began in March 1899 after the arrival of the newly appointed City Engineer. It ceases on 15 April 1926 when the new multiple number subject records system was introduced.
The letters and memos are addressed to external agencies, such as officials of local and central government - Police, Public Works Department, Lands and Survey Department, and relevant businesses and contractors - plumbers, builders, electricians, etc., and to ratepayers and the general public. There are also letters to other Council officers, including those within the Engineer's Department, such as the City Surveyor, Waterworks Inspector, the Drainage Inspector, and City Solicitor.
Occasionally there are full copies of related inwards letters. The letters and memos cover all aspects of the work under the ultimate control of the City Engineer - administration of the department and staff, the development of legislation and bylaws, planning and surveying , drainage, street and footpath construction, repairs and closures, street lighting, water services, construction and maintenance of Council properties and general buildings, maintenance of Council reserves, licensing of trades people, the erection of signs and billboards, etc.
Many of the letters refer to the processes involved with this work: tendering, purchasing and delivery of supplies and equipment, enforcing compliance with by-laws, specifications and permits for buildings and other structures, and reporting to the relevant Council Committees, such as Works, Street Widening, etc. Pencil annotations on entries refer to delivered 'D' or posted 'P', the date, and the initials of the staff officer responsible. Numbers ('see 676') refer to the page number of other entries on the same topic. Ticks denote that the item was indexed.Quantity (Linear Metres)6.27MediumBound VolumeSystem of ArrangementChronological by date of outwards lettersCollection TypeWellington City Council
There are 54 volumes extant; those missing include the first volume, so the series start date is unknown. The series probably began in March 1899 after the arrival of the newly appointed City Engineer. It ceases on 15 April 1926 when the new multiple number subject records system was introduced.
The letters and memos are addressed to external agencies, such as officials of local and central government - Police, Public Works Department, Lands and Survey Department, and relevant businesses and contractors - plumbers, builders, electricians, etc., and to ratepayers and the general public. There are also letters to other Council officers, including those within the Engineer's Department, such as the City Surveyor, Waterworks Inspector, the Drainage Inspector, and City Solicitor.
Occasionally there are full copies of related inwards letters. The letters and memos cover all aspects of the work under the ultimate control of the City Engineer - administration of the department and staff, the development of legislation and bylaws, planning and surveying , drainage, street and footpath construction, repairs and closures, street lighting, water services, construction and maintenance of Council properties and general buildings, maintenance of Council reserves, licensing of trades people, the erection of signs and billboards, etc.
Many of the letters refer to the processes involved with this work: tendering, purchasing and delivery of supplies and equipment, enforcing compliance with by-laws, specifications and permits for buildings and other structures, and reporting to the relevant Council Committees, such as Works, Street Widening, etc. Pencil annotations on entries refer to delivered 'D' or posted 'P', the date, and the initials of the staff officer responsible. Numbers ('see 676') refer to the page number of other entries on the same topic. Ticks denote that the item was indexed.Quantity (Linear Metres)6.27MediumBound VolumeSystem of ArrangementChronological by date of outwards lettersCollection 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 general outwards correspondence. Archives Online, accessed 31/03/2026, https://archivesonline.wcc.govt.nz/nodes/view/1798








