This series contains the correspondence file system used by the Engineering section of the Manawatu Catchment Board (MCB). It was in use from the beginning of the Board in 1945 through to 1964 when it was replaced by a new file system.
As originally set up in 1945, the files of the Manawatu Catchment Board were split between three departments: Administration, Engineering and Soil Conservation. Around 1964 these three systems were integrated to form one file series for the whole Board. Most of the existing files were renumbered into the new system, which was partly based on the old Engineering classification. Inactive files which had been closed prior to this were generally not renumbered. The files in this series are the remnants of the Engineering files.
The files contain both inwards and outwards correspondence and may also contain maps, plans, photographs and ephemera. They provide evidence of the operational, legislative and administrative actions of the Engineering section of the Manawatu Catchment Board.
The files cover such topics as the construction of river control and flood protection works, the hiring of staff, industrial awards, purchase of equipment and other general engineering topics. There are also a number of files with correspondence between the Board and the internal Drainage Boards that operated within the MCB boundaries.
The files are based on the 'Series System' (or multiple number subject system) where consecutive numbers are allotted to principal subjects. The principal subjects are subdivided by the addition of bar numbers.
The following sub series were used by this file system:
1/- Lower Manawatu River Area
2/- Mid Manawatu River Area
3/- Upper Manawatu River Area
4/- Oroua River Area
5/- Pohangina River Area
6/- Tiraumea River Area
7/- Mangatainoka River Area
8/- Mangahao River Area
9/- Horowhenua North (Ohau, Waikawa, Manakau)
10/- Horowhenua South
11/- Workmen
12/- Buildings
15/- Staff
16/- Estimates
17/- Plant etc
18/- Stock, Office Equipment, Plans etc
19/- Drainage Boards and Districts
20/- Hydrological and Technical Information
21/- Returns
22/- Surveys
23/- Miscellaneous
In the early 1990s the files were all removed from their covers and were put into Codafile folders. The front cover of the original files was retained and also placed on file.