VPRS 1211 Outward Letter Books

This series consists of bound copies of correspondence sent by either the Treasurer, Under Treasurer or senior officers within the Treasury. Correspondence recorded in this series relates to all aspects of Treasury activity and includes letters (including enclosures) and telegrams. Correspondence has been created, arranged and bound in differing processes over time. These are described below: Period 1872 - 1921: Letter press correspondence (P and P1 consignment) These volumes consist of correspondence created by the letter press method and bound into volumes in chronological order by date of letter. Each letter was registered through the allocation of an annual single number. (Registration numbers for most of this period were allocated from VPRS 1213 Registers of Outward Correspondence.) As entries in VPRS 1213 are arranged in alphabetical order by recipient, the series (VPRS 1213) can also be used as an index to this portion of this series (Outward Letter Books). Each item has usually been handwritten to about the end of 1892 and typed thereafter. Volumes are numbered with a sequential volume number ranging from No.1 to No.225. There are two of each of volumes No.1 and No.2 as the main numbering sequence did not commence until the third volume. (There are also two volumes marked No.42; the reason for this is unknown.) The date range and range of registration numbers covered by the volume is also usually marked on the spine. Period July 1921 - 1976: Self indexed duplicated correspondence (P2 and P3 consignments) A new system of maintaining outward correspondence commenced from July 1921. From this point duplicated copies of each item were bound in chronological order within sections reflecting the different types of recipients (for example as each Victorian Government department, Members of Parliament, individuals and categories of organisations such as companies). Each of these sections is physically identified by a numbered tab. An index of these numbers is to be found within the cover of each volume. Each item of correspondence was also allocated an annual single registration number but the arrangement of items no longer reflects this sequence. Volumes are numbered with a new sequence of volume numbers ranging from Vol.1 to Vol.219. The date range of correspondence covered by the volume is also usually marked on the spine. Period 1977 - 1992 (P4 consignment) From 1977 until 1992 duplicate copies of each item were kept loose in bundles in chronological order within sections reflecting different types of recipients (for example, government department, Members of Parliament, individuals, and categories of organisations as companies). Each of these sections is physically identified by a number. An index of these numbers was found within each bundle.