VPRS 996 Measuring Books, Customs House Housekeepers Quarters

The Public Works Department (VA 669) had wide-ranging responsibilities for all public works and buildings, including construction, maintenance and fitting out of these buildings. Other major responsibilities included roads and bridges, ports and harbours, local government and water supply. The Department was responsible for the oversight of the construction of many major public buildings including the Melbourne Customs House.This series consists of two of the measuring books used by the Quantity Surveyor during construction to measure dimensions and the quantities of materials used in construction. This process was part of the supervision of the execution of the responsible contractor by the Department. Measurements were taken in company of a contractors representative and the Clerk of Works.Two of the volumes in this series are the originals and the other two volumes are duplicates of these.