VPRS 10209 Index to Correspondence

This series constitutes the index to VPRS 10217, the general correspondence of the Minister of Transport.Until 1934 the correspondence was created and received by the Minister of Railways. This position, created in 1886, assumed responsibility for all railway matters including railway construction management, supervision and purchase of railway companies, power to regulate tolls and fares and the use and sale of property for railway purposes.In 1888 the Minister of Railways became responsible for the development of tourist facilities associated with railway services. From 1911 to 1968 the Minister assumed responsibility for the State Coal Mine (VA 720) which had essentially been developed to meet the railways requirement for coal. Similarly the Minister became responsible for the development of the Newport Powerhouse from 1921-1951. Railway refreshment services, complimentary road motor passenger and goods services were also developed during the 1920s.In 1934 these responsibilities were assumed by the new Minister of Transport. This appointment reflected a move toward greater coordination of transport related functions. Initially this approach was restricted to more extensive regulation and better coordination of commercial motor transport services and the management of the States railways.In 1952 the coordination role was further developed by the provisions of the Transport Act (1951) which established a Ministry of Transport (VA 673) and extended the Ministers responsibilities to include the regulation of State owned tramway and bus services and some aspects of air transport regulation.In 1973 the Minister of Transport became responsible for the Country Roads Board which had previously reported to the Minister for Local Government. Nine boxes of Local Government Department files relating to the Country Roads Board were transferred to the Minister of Transport and added to this series.

本系列为VPRS 10217的索引，该案卷为运输部长的通用往来函件。1934年之前，该往来函件均由铁路部长经办并收发。该职位设立于1886年，最初负责所有铁路相关事务，包括铁路建设管理、铁路公司的监管与收购、制定资费与票价的权限，以及铁路用途资产的使用与处置。1888年，铁路部长开始负责与铁路服务配套的旅游设施开发工作。1911年至1968年间，铁路部长还负责管理州立煤矿（VA 720）——该煤矿最初主要为满足铁路用煤需求而开发。同理，1921年至1951年，铁路部长还承担了纽波特发电厂的开发职责。20世纪20年代，铁路餐饮服务、免费道路客运与货运服务也相继推出并纳入该部长的管辖范围。1934年，上述职责转由新设立的运输部长接任，此次职衔调整旨在进一步统筹各类交通相关职能。初期，该统筹仅局限于加强对商业道路运输服务的监管、优化其协调机制，以及州属铁路的管理工作。1952年，《1951年交通法案》（Transport Act 1951）的相关条款进一步强化了该统筹职能：该法案设立了交通部（VA 673），并将部长的管辖范围扩展至州属有轨电车与公交服务的监管，以及航空运输监管的部分领域。1973年，运输部长接管了此前由地方政府部长管辖的国家道路局相关事务。原属地方政府部门、与国家道路局相关的9箱档案已移交至运输部长处，并归入本系列案卷。