VPRS 18787 Correspondence Files, Marine Surveyor, Ports & Harbours Branch

This series comprises correspondence files maintained by the Marine Surveyor. The files contain inward and outward correspondence relating to functions undertaken by the Marine Surveyor. The majority of the records were created during the period that John Patrick (J.P.) Larkin was the Marine Surveyor of the Ports and Harbours Branch, Public Works Department. J.P. Larkin, A.M.I.C.E.L.S., C.E. was born and educated in New Zealand. He was appointed as the Victorian Assistant Marine Surveyor in 1914. After serving in the Australian Imperial Force, his career took him to Queenscliff in 1920 where he remained until 1953. The information contained in these files covers a wide field of subjects, from the use of government owned facilities and assets, dredging and clearance operations, staffing, requisition requests, maintenance of marine lights and buoys. The files provide an insight to the general day to day running of the Marine Surveyor’s office, especially during the period of the second World War (1939 – 1945). Before coming to PROV, these records were held at the Queenscliffe Maritime Museum.