Wellington Harbour Board WHB Completed Order files

Descriptive Data

Archives IdentifierAC068Date Range1912-1972DescriptionThis series is the file system used by the Supplies Store of the Chief Engineers Department to record correspondence and information relating to completed orders of equipment.

These files use an annual numbering system, for example file 1942/1 is the 1st completed purchase of 1942. The earliest files in this system are from 1912 and they may have originally been maintained by the Head Office Department.

Correspondence from this early period was registered as being part of the inwards letter series (AC020), even though it was stored separately on these files. Outwards correspondence, while filed here, was also duplicated into either the Secretary’s or the Engineer’s letter books (series AC019 and AC027) depending on who was ordering the material.

In 1922 the Supply Store was set up as part of the Chief Engineer’s Department to centralise control of all the stores used by the various departments of the Harbour Board (excluding stationary). The records of orders after 1912 were transferred to the Engineer’s Department, and correspondence ceased to be registered into the inwards letter series. Outwards correspondence continued to be duplicated into letter books, but now solely the Engineer’s.

After the establishment of the Engineer’s file system in 1942, files were temporarily held as part of the 17.01/-, 17.02/- or 17.03/- sub series while the order was being carried out. Once the order was completed, the file was then renumbered into the annual number sequence in this series. This system continued in use until 1974, when the system was closed and records of orders were kept on general files in the Chief Engineer’s file system. Each order was given a unique file reference, so file 1952/6 only holds information on the purchase of 14 Clarktor tractors in 1952. Other earlier or later purchases will have their own file.

The sort of information that may be found on these files includes correspondence concerning the purchasing of the equipment, manufacturers advertising pamphlets, photographs of equipment and any other information that directly relates to the purchase. It has been noted in the Format field of the database where photographs were found on a file. Note that when appraised, not all files were retained. Only those concerning major equipment such as vehicles or cranes, or files that displayed some wider historical value such as those orders made during the Second World War where issues with supply arose. A complete list of all Order Files may be found in the Index (series AC107). This lists the items purchased and who they were purchased from.Quantity (Linear Metres)3.5MediumFileSystem of ArrangementChronological, annual single number registration systemCollection TypeWellington Museums Trust

Access Information

Restriction StatusOpen

Related Agencies

Controlling or Creating AgencyWHB, Chief Engineer's DepartmentRelationship Date RangeUnknown

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Wellington Harbour Board WHB Completed Order files