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Christchurch City Council. City Engineer's Department (1923-1982)

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1923 - 1982

Biography

The City Engineers Department originated out of the roles of the City Surveyor and Engineer. The role of City Surveyor was instituted in 1862, the same year that Christchurch City Council was established. One of the earliest people to hold the position of City Surveyor and Engineer was Sir Arthur Dudley Dobson, who held the post from 1901-1921. From 1919 Dobson managed an Electrical Department which included a Waterworks Department and a Superintendent of Parks and Gardens. By 1921 a separate Electricity Department had been established. The City Engineers’ Department is first listed in the CCC Handbook of 1923-1924 with A.R. Galbraith appointed the City Engineer in 1925.

The department from when it was first established included an Inspector of Buildings. The functions of managing buildings and building consents remained with this Department until it became the City Works and Planning Department in 1982.

As of 1975 the department included a City Architect's Division, Town Planning Division, Buildings Division, Design Division, Streetworks Division, South Belt Yard and Waterworks Division.

The City Engineer's Department became the City Works and Planning Department in 1982.

Found in 13 Collections and/or Records:

Christchurch City Council: Early Records

 Series
Identifier: CCC/ARC/S110
Content Description

Records of the early Christchurch City Council. Includes guard books of inwards correspondence, reports, minutes and correspondence of Council Committees, reports and correspondence of the City Surveyor and the Inspector of Nuisances, licensing records, drainage contracts, registers and petitions.

Dates: 1862-1986; Majority of material found within 1862-1950

Christchurch City Council: Property Unit Deeds

 Series
Identifier: CCC/ARC/S44
Scope and Contents

Title deeds relating to Christchurch City Council property transactions. Includes early titles of properties in central Christchurch and surrounding suburbs.

Dates: 1874-2003

Christchurch City Council: Technical Services Files

 Series
Identifier: CCC/ARC/S18
Scope and Contents

Files created by the Christchurch City Council Technical Services department on a wide range of subjects, listed alphabetically.

Includes those on Abattoirs, Airport, Bridges, Buildings, Contracts, Council Departments, River and Drainage Works, Emergencies, Mechanical Services, Parks, Quarries, Roads, Sea and Coast Works, Staff, Swimming pools, Traffic, Waterworks and Yards.

Dates: 1954-1990