City Engineer's Department

Descriptive Data

TypeAgencyDate Range1923-1972DescriptionThe City Engineer's Department reported to the Town Clerk, and the Engineer controlled over time a number of officers and sub-departments, including the Sanitary Inspector, the Waterworks Department, the Waterworks Inspector, the City Surveyor, the Drainage Inspector, the Building Inspector, and Abattoir. After 1924 there was a change and some functions ( e.g. Tramways) were removed from the control of the City Engineer.

The Department underwent some name changes. From 1923 until 1966 it was called the City Engineer’s Department. In 1966 Council approved of a new establishment for the Engineers Department and opted similarly for the new designation of Works and Planning Department. The substantial growth of many non-engineering services within the department was a major influence in introducing a new name. According to City Engineer J.S. Roberts however, this new title did not fully recognise the range of services the department was responsible for, as health and building inspection administration did not really come within the scope of either work or planning. The Department would not keep its new name for a long time, only from 1966 to May, 15 1968.

From May 16, 1968 to 1972 the Department would use its former name and was called the City Engineer's Department again.

Those who held the position of City Engineer were:

1899 to 1904 R. S. Rounthwaite
1904 to 1923 W H Morton
1924 to 1926 A J Paterson
1927 to 1935 G A Hart
1935 to 1952 K E Luke
1952 to 1963 F B C Jeffreys
1963 to 1964 G I B Thomas
1964 to 1972 T S Roberts
1972 to 1978 A D Martin
1978 to 1982 G J Macdonald
1982 K M Dunning

Functions: The City Engineers Department has been required to carry out a number of roles and functions. The scope of these has changed with reorganisation and restructuring that the Council has undergone.

The following table lists the main functions that have been carried out by the City Engineers Department over time. The following sections detail the individual Sub-series and the information they contain.
Works: - Aerodrome Development - Building & Housing Construction
Cleansing; Refuse Collection & Disposal - Street Cleansing Operations - Maintenance of Conveniences & Public Rest Rooms
Drainage, Sewerage & Stormwater
General Civil Engineering Construction
Housing & Subdivision Development
Street works, Maintenance & Construction
Swimming Pools

Water Supply & Reticulation Administration Services:
Building Inspection
Public Health Administration
Plumbing & Drainage Inspection
Subdivision Control
Town Planning Administration Technical Services
Motor Vehicle Inspection (1898-1924) & Driver licensing (1912-198?)
Building Design
Civil Engineering Design
Mechanical Engineering Design
Town Planning

Traffic Engineering Ancillary Works:
Automotive Fleet Maintenance & Operation
Heavy Construction Plant Pool
Manufacturing of Central Mix Concrete, - Precast Concrete, Paving Plant & Quarries
Laboratory, Chemical, Biological & Physical
Store Purchasing & Supply
Workshops (including Automotive, Carpentry & Joinery, Mechanical Engineering, Painting, Tin Smithing, & Sheet Metal Work)

Controlling Agency or Organisation

Controlling Agency or OrganisationWellington City CouncilControlling Agency or Organisation Date Range1870-

Related Agencies

Successor Agency or OrganisationWorks DepartmentWaterworks Division

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City Engineer's Department