NRS-12429 | Specifications

These records consist of bound volumes of specifications relating to work undertaken by and on behalf of the Harbours and Rivers, Water Supply, Sewerage, Irrigation and Drainage sections of Public Works. The period covered by these series, particularly the middle years from 1890 to 1913, was characterised by frequent administrative change in these areas of Public Works as greater and more varied responsibilities were placed on the Department. Various sections were created, linked, merged and separated. Eventually with the establishment of the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission in 1913, a district department was established to oversee irrigation and water conservation matters. The overlapping functions are reflected in the varied content of the specifications. The specifications fall into the following categories: Harbours and Rivers Branch, 1882-1903 Initially the Harbours and Rivers Branch was also administratively responsible for water supply works. There are specifications for wharves, training walls, sheds, vessels, cranes and a range of associated services and buildings. In addition, the earliest specifications also include water supply works - reservoirs, dams, pipes and equipment, engines, boilers and pumps. Contractor's name and contract price is often annotated on specification documents. An index and/or list of specifications is included at the beginning of each volume. Water Supply, 1893-95 These two volumes consist of specifications for country town water supply works such as pipelaying, pumping machinery, banks, dams, reservoirs, and fencing. A list of specifications with contractors' names appended is included at the front of both volumes, and each specification is annotated with date tender accepted, date bond signed and contract time. Water Supply and Sewerage, 1895-1905 These specifications primarily deal with water supply works such as reservoirs, equipment, wells, bores, pipelines, weirs and tanks. They also include sewerage works and equipment, stormwater and swamp drainage works, associated works such as bridges, buildings and flood gates, public swimming baths at Coonamble, a dressing shed and telephone cables. A list of specifications is included at the front of each volume; the first four volumes are organised numerically by contract numbers 368 to 550. Irrigation and Water Supply Branch, 1904-28 These volumes of specifications are arranged numerically by contract number and deal with stormwater and swamp drainage and associated works, construction of bores and tanks, wells, windmills, reticulation of water supply and sewerage schemes, pipelines, bridges over cuttings, supply of equipment, irrigation works, dams, reservoirs, wharves, jetties, piers, cranes, equipment for dredges, and various specifications in relation to the Avon, Cataract and Burrinjuck Dams. Water Supply Miscellaneous, c.1880-95 These volumes of specifications appear to have been collected for personal reference by senior officers and relate specifically to reservoirs, pumping machinery, pipelaying and pipelines, cast iron and steel pipes. (11/19216-62). 47 vols. Note: This description is extracted from Concise Guide to the State Archives of New South Wales, 3rd Edition 2000.