Archives - Details
Record ID
HKRS337
Title
General Correspondence Files
Date
1912 - 1981
Level
Series
Archival History
The series was maintained in the custody of the creating and successor agencies until transfer to PRO. Some files have been 'top numbered' from the Buildings and Lands Branch general correspondence filing system into this series.
Creating Agency
Government Secretariat, Colonial Secretariat, General Branch, Lands Section
Transferring Agency
Government Secretariat, Environment Bureau
Administrative / Biographical History
(1) A Colonial Secretary was appointed on 26.6.1843 to assist and deputise for the Governor in administering the Colony of Hong Kong. After the Second World War, the Civil Affairs Administration Division of the British Military Administration temporarily replaced the Colonial Secretary's Office, On 1.5.1946, with the resumption of civil administration, a Colonial Secretariat was created. Its functions were to co-ordinate and supervise the work of government departments, advise the Governor on policy and to administer government personnel. The Secretariat was re-organised in September 1973 into nine policy and resource Branches. In March 1976, the title of Colonial Secretary was changed to Chief Secretary and the agency renamed Government Secretariat.
(2) Responsibility for the lands function initially rested with the General Branch after the resumption of civil administration in May 1946. On 20.4.1960 an Assistant Colonial Secretary (Lands) was appointed and subsequently a separate Building and Lands Branch was established. The Branch was also responsible for housing matters. In 1973 the Branch was abolished and its functions passed to the newly created Environment and Housing Branches.
(3) An Environment Branch was created in the Colonial Secretariat on 16.7.1973 to manage policy matters relating the environment formerly handled by the General Branch which had been abolished. In 1973 the Branch also acquired responsibility for lands from the former Building and Lands Branch. On 1.9.1981 the Branch was dissolved, the environment protection function being transferred to the Administration Branch and lands to the newly established Lands and Works Branch.
Scope and Content
The series relates to the general business of the Environment Branch. The subjects covered include illegal structures, proposed construction, applications for exemption under the Landlord and Tenant Ordinance, closure orders under the Demolished Buildings (Redevelopment of Sites) Ordinance, Crown land short term tenancy, Crown rents. changes to streets, acquisition of properties, land grants, reclamation, land administration policy, restoration of public monuments removed or destroyed by the Japanese, renovation of the statue of Queen Victoria, and Environmental Pollution Committee. The files contain minutes, memoranda, press-cuttings, plans, photographs, letters, Executive Council memoranda, petitions, agreements, circulars, telegrams and deeds.
Physical Description
Hard and soft cover folders, 33 x 23 x 0.5-3 cm. Treasury tags are used to attach papers.
Arrangement System
Multiple number system with a 'BL' (Buildings and Lands) or 'ENV' (Environment) prefix. Range of control symbols ENV 50/13/04 - ENV 74/5282/74.
Conditions Governing Access
Public Records (Access) Rules 1996
Language and Scripts
English