Function / Content This series consists of volumes which record valuations made by the Newtown and Chilwell municipality on rateable properties. This municipality name was changed from Newtown and Chilwell to Newtown on 22 November 1967. Each volume in custody details the valuation made in a given year. There is no index to the entries in the volumes. Municipal Valuations Since the proclamation of the Municipal Institutions Act 1854 (No.26) local Councils have been empowered to annually make the levy General Rates in respect of all rateable properties within the municipal district. (This provision has been incorporated in all Local Government Acts from 1873). Rates are the main source of income of the municipality and valuation is an integral part of the rating system. Under the Act, Councils are required to cause a valuation of all rateable property. The initial valuation must take place no less than three months after the constitution of the municipality with subsequent valuations occurring `from time to time as determined by the Council. The Act also specifies the form in which the valuer is to make and return all valuations. Once adopted by the Council, the return of general valuation becomes an important accounting record. It serves as the basis for making of the rate (the rate struck is a proportion of the rateable value of each property), and for entry of individual valuations to the accounts in the Rate Books. Contents Initially valuations were recorded and returned to Council in a bound volume known as the Valuation Book. Each book comprises pages printed in the form specified in the Act. The following detail is recorded in these books by the Valuer: name (and from 1874 occupation) of occupier; name, residence (and from 1874 occupation) of the owner(s); description/situation of the rateable property (usually the address); electoral district and division (replaced by 1958 with ward or riding) containing the property; number of people occupying the property; and details of the valuation. The identity of the valuer is recorded on the top of each page. The information recorded is further authenticated by his signature and date of return to the Council, usually on the page following the final valuation. This page will also contain the date and relevant signatures of the adoption of the valuations by the Council. Recordkeeping System The books are arranged in chronological order. The entires in each book are arranged in numeric order by the property number.