Description of series:
Specifications of work carried out by contractors on behalf of the Public Works Dept. of Q'ld for Post & Telegraph, Defence, and Customs & Excise Departments in Queensland. The work includes; erection of new buildings, improvements, alterations, additions and repairs to existing buildings, provision of furniture and fittings, lighting installation (kerosine, gas and electric), con struction of Rifle Ranges, roads, walls, slipways, water storage tanks, fencing , clearing excavations, earthworks & drainage.
 
History Prior/Subsequent to Transfer:
PRIOR TO TRANSFER: Inquiries made revealed a total lack of
information in respect of the history of the set prior to transfer to Works & Railways and also from time of transfer to present date. The records were created by the Public Works Dept. of the Colony of Queensland, Government Architects Office, Brisbane, and cover the period 1869-1913. It is assumed that prior to creation of Works & Railways in 1916, all work required on behalf of Post & Telegraph, Defence and Customs & Excise Departments was carried out by the Public Works Dept. of Queensland. as reference to the, as reference to the attached list will show that only the above mentioned
departments are shown as client departments. Subsequent to the creation of Works & Railways again it is assumed the records were transferred to that department, but on what date no one knows. Originally the records were registered under a 3 figure classified system, then at some later date given a single progressive number. Then lastly the records were again re-registered under a single yearly number system. The later would appear to have been done by Works & Railways as the specifications under this system are more or less intact with the exception of the years 1890-1899, which are missing, and their whereabouts unknown. This statement is based on the fact that an examination showed there are very wide gaps in both the original registration numbers and the second top numbering which apparently is due to all specification for other than the 3 afore- mentioned departments being retained by the State Public Works Dept. Works have no register or related card index and do not know if one was ever transferred by Public Works or compiled by themselves. From 1869-1888 the specifications are written in long hand; in 1889 both long hand and typed, and from 1900-1913 typed. Each specifica- tion shows: written specifications of work, general conditions of
contract, special conditions, and conditions of tendering. Some specifictaions are signed by the successful contractor in the presence of a witness, due date being shown. SUBSEQUENT TO TRANSFER: The whereabouts of missing files is unknown and it is presumed they are either lost or destroyed. The records are in good condition throughout.
 
Administrative information
 
The following data was keyed from the paper documentation:
Form number:              CA 17
Creating department:      , PUBLIC WORKS DEPT OF THE COLONY OF Q'LD.,                           GOVERNMENT ARCHITECTS OFFICE, BRISBANE Transferring department:  , DEPT. OF WORKS, PLANNING & DESIGN, PLAN                           RECORDS
Date of transfer:         11/07/1966
Archives file number:     RWB21/1/4