VPRS 619 Secretary's Correspondence Files, Alphabetical System [1876-1896]; Correspondence Files, 'A' Series [1901-1929]; Unregistered Inward Correspondence, Minister of Lands [1881]

This series consists predominantly of correspondence dealt with by the Secretary of the Department of Crown Lands and Survey. Correspondence numbers were allocated by the alpha-numerical registers in VPRS 166 Alphabetical Registers of Inward Correspondence. Still retaining that number, correspondence was re-registered in VPRS 14262 Register of Inward Correspondence, Secretary which was a subsidiary register in the recordkeeping system. It is that subsidiary register which gives the details of the final destination of the correspondence.The first two units in the series consists of correspondence from the 'A' Series (or Chief Clerk) which has been mistakenly placed here. Matters dealt with include correspondence relating to advances applied for by selectors particularly those involved in closer settlement schemes, correspondence relating to bush fire and flood relief schemes and correspondence from Department employees.In Unit 32 there is a bundle of correspondence addressed directly to the Minister of Lands which has not been registered into any system. Persons wrote to the Minister seeking advice and action in relation to Departmental matters.Each piece of correspondence, when registered had a face sheet attached to it. Upon this sheet were placed the registered number, a stamp indicating 'Secretary', the date of receipt and the date of the letter and any other file number as well as a summary of the subject of the correspondence. On this same face sheet were placed annotations and notes by officers to whom the correspondence was referred for information, opinion or action. There may also be a draft of a reply to the letter.Correspondence registered in this series was all matters other than those directly to do with the occupation of Crown lands. These included matters related to the administration and staffing of the Department, policy matters, correspondence with other Government officials and agencies and matters relating to finance and to other responsibilities of the Department such as vermin.