This series contains the main correspondence file system used by the Manawatu Catchment Board (MCB). It was in use from circa 1964 to 1989, though many of the files from the earlier MCB file systems were renumbered into this system.
As originally set up in 1945, the file system of the Manawatu Catchment Board was split between three departments, Administration, Engineering and Soil Conservation. Circa 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 into the new system (see the separate series for these remnants).
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 Manawatu Catchment Board.
The files cover such topics as the construction of river control and flood protection works, flood damage, buildings owned by the Board, Soil Conservation work, the hiring of staff and industrial awards. 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
9/- Horowhenua North (Ohau, Waikawa, Manakau)
10/- Horowhenua South (Otaki, Waikanae)
11/- Dannevirke Area, Weber Riding
12/- Kapiti Borough (excluding Waikanae – 10/4) – ORIGINALLY Akitio CC
13/- Workmen and Staff Awards
14/- Building
15/- Flood Damage and Estimates
16/- Estimates
17/- Plant (Motor Vehicles, Tenders and Quotations)
18/- Engineering Stock, Loose Tools and Workshop
19/- Drainage Boards and Districts
20/- Hydrological and Technical
21/- Returns
22/- Surveys
23/- Quarries
24/- Shingle Licences
25/- Land Acquisitions and Leasing
26/- Engineering, General: Courses
27/- Classification of Land
30/- Rating
33/- Soil Conservation
40/- Board Boundaries, Electoral and Members
41/- Board Agenda, Committee Minutes, Reports and Bylaws
42/- Finance and Accounts
43/- Superannuation
44/- Legal
45/- Grants
46/- Insurance
47/- Publications, Books and Periodicals
48/- NW and SCO, Circulars and Reports
49/- Outside Organisations
50/- Catchment Authorities
51/- Office Administration
52/- Publicity
53/- Water and Soil Conservation Act 1967
54/- Water Rights/Take/Discharge/Dam/Divert
55/- Water Resources/Surface
56/- Water Resources/Underground
Note that there are two different sequences of 33/- files. The first set are the former 3/- files from the Soil Conservation file system (see series HRC 00020) which were renumbered as 33/- files about 1963. The second set are those files concerning Soil Conservation created after this date as part of the new file system.
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. The file system remained active until 1990 when it was replaced by the Manawatu Wanganui Regional Council file system.