VPRS 1202 Outward Letter Books (Local Government Branch)

In the 19th century the Local Government function developed from the distribution of grants to municipal bodies. This responsibility was assumed by the Board of Land and Works upon its creation in 1857 and administered by the Public Works Department. As local government authorities developed throughout Victoria so did the need to centrally co-ordinate them. This was undertaken via the roads and bridges function in the first instance, as this provided an existing administrative framework in municipal districts with the Department of Roads and Bridges (VA 2964) and the Department of Railways and Roads (VA 2805) taking primary responsibility after the passing of the Local Government Act 1863.Although detailed research into the development of local government administration is yet to be undertaken, it is evident that the function encompassed the examination and review of municipal boundaries, the administration and review of local government legislation, the allocation of funds to local government authorities and the consideration of municipal by-laws.This series consists of outwards letters and memoranda regarding matters related to the administration of the Local Government Act such as the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges, the delineation of municipal boundaries, the arrangements for the auditing of municipal accounts and the statutory arrangements for municipal elections.VPRS 1202/P was reserialised in 2001 as part of the ARAD Project. The former unit 38 is now VPRS 6907/P1 unit 1.