Scope and Content Correspondence within letter books is arranged in chronological order by date the letters were sent. Function / Content Letter books were the means by which copies of correspondence despatched from then office were retained for future reference. During the period 1856 to 1936 letters were copied into various letter books depending upon whom the letters were forwarded to or from whom the letters were sent. Letters to Government authorities were maintained in a series of books for the period 1856 to 1936. Letters were maintained in other books for the periods as follows: Town Inspector 4/1860 - 3/1885, Public Gardens Committee 12/1855 - 5/1870, Treasurer's Office 1877 - 1908, Town Clerk's Office 1898 - 1908. Other correspondence was copied into books described as Miscellaneous. Some letters classified as Government correspondence is to be found in the Miscellaneous books during the period that the Government books were maintained. There are gaps in the series of Outward Letter Books. These can be ascertained from the item listing. Recordkeeping System Correspondence within Letter Books is arranged in chronological order by the date the letters were sent and are indexed. The Letter Books are arranged according to the sub series to which they belong (refer to the Accession Consignment List) and then in chronological order within each group.