VPRS 11070 General Records

The Royal Commission on the Expediency of Amending The Water Act 1928 and Other Matters - commonly known as Royal Commission on Water Supply (VA 4024) was established by the Governor of the State of Victoria in January 1936.In accordance with the terms of Letters Patent, recorded in the Register of Patents Book No.31, the Commission was to inquire into the expediency of amending the Water Act 1928 and other matters connected with waterworks, irrigation, drainage and reclamation systems administered by the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission.The Royal Commission held a preliminary meeting on the 4 February 1936, and subsequently inspected the greater part of the works controlled by the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission. In addition to numerous sittings in Melbourne, evidence was taken in 28 country centres.The Royal Commission inspected the irrigation and water supply systems, and investigated the accounting operations in the Department of Lands (Irrigation Branch) and the Department of Engineering and Water Supply, South Australia(the Commission considered the possibility of implementation of the financial model used effectively in South Australia).The inquiry was carried on continuously since the first meeting and it involved close investigation of the administration, published accounts and reports of the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission (S.R. & W.S. C.).Following the detailed investigation, the Royal Commission suggested a number of specific recommendations and indicated the necessity to amend the Water Act 1928 in order to accommodate these recommendations.This series contains general records accumulated by an officer of the Treasury,R. E. Sttafford, in the process of his involvement with the inquiry as the Secretary of the Royal Commission on Water Supply.This series comprises:CorrespondenceWorking PapersSubmissionsExhibitsEvidence (Copies)Budget Papers and Financial StatementsActs and Reports.