WCC, Housing Superintendent's letter book of outwards correspondence
Descriptive Data
Archives Identifier00310Date Range1919-1922DescriptionThis series consists of only one volume of copies of outwards correspondence from the Housing Superintendent (R. McKenzie). The earliest letters are signed as Building Superintendent, or just Housing Department. There are also occasionally letters signed by K E Luke, Engineer, Housing Department.
The letters are both internal memos and reports to the City Engineer and letters to outside agencies, builders, contractors, and suppliers of bricks and building materials, such as the Marton Sash and Door Co.
They begin on 14 October 1919 at the time of the appointment of Luke and McKenzie as Engineer and Supervisor respectively of the Northland 'Housing Scheme'. Under this scheme the Council proposed to build fifty houses in brick or concrete in the suburb of Northland which were then allocated by ballot, mostly to Council employees. The letters give details of sections available, supplies required, quotes and estimates, orders made, progress on individual houses, and schedules of stock purchased and held.
It is not known whether further volumes were created but correspondence in March 1922 indicates that the housing scheme in Northland and the position of Housing Superintendent was discontinued. - 'it is unfortunate that the original intention of the Council to fully develop the Northland Block could not be carried out' and 'my duties as Housing Superintendent have practically ceased' p. 247, 15 March 1922. There are only a few letters after this, signed by McKenzie 'for the City Engineer'. Index: Names of businesses and persons, including City Engineer.Quantity (Linear Metres)0.11MediumBound VolumeSystem of ArrangementChronological by date of outwards letterCollection TypeWellington City Council
WCC, Housing Superintendent's letter book of outwards correspondence. Archives Online, accessed 31/03/2026, https://archivesonline.wcc.govt.nz/nodes/view/1804