VPRS 97 Inwards Correspondence

Much of the correspondence in this series was that addressed to Robert Hoddle as the Surveyor-in-Charge of the Port Phillip District prior to the establishment of the Surveyor-General's Department in 1851 (VA 2921) although some is after that date. The series includes correspondence and circulars directed to Hoddle prior to his appointment in Victoria from 1827 onwards including when he was located at Goulburn (New South Wales). Correspondence and circulars came from the Surveyor-General and Colonial Secretary in Sydney, from the Superintendent of the Port Phillip District and from surveyors in the field. Some forwarded correspondence has minutes and annotations by C J Latrobe (Superintendent Port Phillip District). Other comprehensive correspondence is from surveyors employed by the Department.Matters dealt with relate to instructions and arrangements for the survey of the Port Phillip District, instructions for and correspondence respecting the layout of Melbourne, requests and arrangements for Special Surveys, the occupancy of land under licence and the survey and sale of lands. Other correspondence relates to the appointment of surveyors and matters such as salaries and the supply and requisition of equipment.Correspondence from surveyors in the field, as well as dealing with matters to do with personnel and equipment, might also include copies of survey reports and diaries of activities of survey expeditions with copies of both inwards and outwards correspondence. Surveyors include Wade in the Western District, Tyers in Gippsland and surveys in the Geelong and Corio Bay areas.Other correspondence both inwards and outwards relating to Hoddle as Surveyor-in-Charge and as Surveyor-General is available in VPRS 44 Inwards Registered and Unregistered Correspondence and in VPRS 1258 Inwards Registered Correspondence. For outwards correspondence, consult VPRS 5 Outwards registered Correspondence to Surveyor-General and VPRS 6 Letter Books.Correspondence in the P2 consignment was purchased from Peter Arnold Pty Ltd in 1994. The records had previously been prescribed at the time of auction by Leonard Joel in 1991.