Many of the files from 1917 and 1918 appear to be absent from the collection. Although the numbering on those remaining shows that they originally existed, many files relating to particular aspects of the council's operation have been removed at some point in the past. Missing files include those requesting free use of the Town Hall and other municipal buildings, which could reveal valuable information about the types of entertainments, fundraising and other activities that supported the war effort. Likewise, requests from the Defence Department for permission for soldiers to march through the city — a significant feature of the previous year's files — are no longer present, being no longer required from 1917. While the files relating to the war are far smaller in number for this year compared to the previous (about 90% less), several themes are prominent. Particularly noteworthy are concerns (which had already begun to appear the previous year) with provisions and infrastructure needed for returned soldiers, both those who were ostensibly physically fit, as well as those with debilitating mental or physical injuries.
Digital Resources
- Letter from Stewarts and Lloyds (Aust) Ltd
- Claim for War Risk Insurance and increased cost on goods supplied to Parks Gardens Committee
- Letter from Town Clerk
- Copy of circular sent to various municipalities asking for copy of Council Minutes, Reports and Year Book
- Letter from J.H. Owen
- Re reformative activities of Melbourne Council in regard to housing conditions
- Letter from E R Hudspeth and others
- Application for position of Clerk in City Treasurer's Office
- Letter from City Engineer
- Recommending appointment of W Baglin as clerk at Destructor. Further recommendation as to appointment of F. Bushnil
- Letter from State Recruiting Committee of Victoria
- Erection of six Recruiting Thermometers on Administrative Buildings
- Letter from L.J. Opie
- Particulars of his duties whilst in Camp
- Letter from The Registrar of Pensions
- Asking information re Walter Randle and John Price
- Letter from Lietenant C. Buckhurst Atkins
- Forwarding drawings of soldiers engaged in the war for acceptance by Council
- Letter from Overseas Club. Southern Cross Tobacco Fund
- Thanking Council for donations towards Tobacco Fund, and forwarding new subscription list
- Letter from City Treasurer
- Recommending increased salaries to officers in the Department
- Letter from John Danks and Son
- Reporting that the Defence Department has requisitioned the 5th floor of their building, and that any structural alterations are made by them and that Danks cannot be responsible
- Letter from Town Clerk
- Question of future management of North Melbourne Recreation Reserve
- Letter from City Treasurer
- Officers in his Department. Anomalies in salaries
- Letter from Minister for Home and Territories
- Asking that Mr Campbell, Superintendent of Tree Planting be allowed to visit Canberra
- Letter from A.N.A. Bear
- Application for two month's leave of absence to recuperate, having just returned from active service abroad
- Letter from A Chapman and others
- Application for temporary position of Sanitary Inspector
- Letter from Town Clerk
- Town Planning Conference and Exhibition held in Adelaide from October 17th to 24th 1917
- Letter from City Engineer
- Reporting death of Mr Norman H. Christian on Active Service in France
Site-wide information and acknowledgements
Special Thanks to: History Program, School of Historical and Philosophical Studies
Thanks to: Helen Morgan (eScholarship Research Centre), Daniel Wilksch (Public Record Office Victoria) and John Lycette (Lycette Bros.)
