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British Columbia. Dept. of the Provincial Secretary
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Wesley Black interview : [Langlois, 1975 : part 1]

CALL NUMBER: T1410:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Personal history and teaching experience PERIOD COVERED: 1925-1953 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1975 SUMMARY: Wesley Drewett Black describes: his early career in the teaching profession; his service in B.C. at Newlands, Giscome, Britannia Beach and Creston. Joined Social Credit party in 1951 and attended early Socred organization meetings in this year. He was a winning candidate for the Socreds in the 1952 provincial election in the Nelson-Creston constituency. Appointed Provincial Secretary in July 1952. Mr. Black reflects upon the first Social Credit cabinet in B.C. CALL NUMBER: T1410:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): W.D. Black's contribution to the first and second W.A.C. Bennett governments PERIOD COVERED: 1952-1953 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1975 SUMMARY: W.D. Black continues to discuss the first Social Credit administration in B.C. in 1952. He reflects upon the defeat of this minority government and their subsequent re-election in 1953. Black recalls in detail the underlying political climate during this era in B.C. history. He discusses in detail the problems he encountered in improving mental health policy in B.C. during the early period of the second W.A.C. Bennett government. CALL NUMBER: T1410:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Administrative problems and policy, 1953-54 PERIOD COVERED: 1952-1954 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1975 SUMMARY: W.D. Black continues his explanation of the reforms that he implemented in the civil service after 1953 when he was Provincial Secretary. Discussion of life as a cabinet minister. Reference to changes in legislative procedures and the electoral process. Discussion of the implementation of Social Credit policies during 1953-54. CALL NUMBER: T1410:0004 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Role of the civil service, 1952-1972 PERIOD COVERED: 1952-1972 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1975 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: W.D. Black discusses the civil service 1952-72. The problem of coming to grips with the civil service upon taking office. The work of the Stevenson Kellogg Co. in studying the civil service. The development of programs and pension plans for the civil service. TRACK 2: Also discusses the growth of the B.C. Government Employees Association. The one day strike of the association is discussed. The implications of the Carruthers Report, and relations between the government and the association. CALL NUMBER: T1410:0005 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Development of medicare PERIOD COVERED: 1952-1972 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1975 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: W.D. Black discusses: relations with the press; workload as a cabinet minister and travel demands; the Columbia River Basin development on his constituency; road building programs. TRACK 2: Black describes the development of a provincial medicare plan, the problems of devising a comprehensive medicare scheme, and relation with the medical profession. CALL NUMBER: T1410:0006 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Implementation of medicare plan PERIOD COVERED: 1952-1972 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1975 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: W.D. Black discusses the final stages in the development of the Medical Services Plan of B.C., and the legislation that brought the plan into being. W.D. Black appointed as Minister of Health to implement plan. Negotiations with Ottawa to bring the plan under the national scheme's framework. TRACK 2: The Sommers scandal and the charges made by Gordon Gibson Sr. regarding payoffs in the granting of forest management licenses. CALL NUMBER: T1410:0007 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): 1958 Centennial PERIOD COVERED: 1952-1972 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1975 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Plans for the 1958 Centennial under the direction of L.J. Wallace and W.D. Black. Discussion of W.A.C. Bennett's concept of Northern Development. TRACK 2: Mr. Black's attention to constituency matters during his period in office. The development of regional districts in B.C. CALL NUMBER: T1410:0008 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): The Woodlands School, Hansard, civil defense, and the B.C. flag PERIOD COVERED: 1952-1972 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1975 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: W.D. Black discusses Woodlands School and problems with the press regarding it. Development of a legislative Hansard for B.C. The 1958 ferry strike and the development of the idea for a B.C. ferry system. The origination of the official B.C. flag. TRACK 2: Discussion of civil defense, the building of fall-out shelters and the problems of getting people involved in civil defense. Discussion of the 1960 provincial election and elections in general.

Ray Orchard interview

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Ray Orchard interview PERIOD COVERED: 1931-1978 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978-01-26 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: An interview with Ray Orchard, Director of Provincial Information at the Ministry of the Provincial Secretary and Travel Industry. Orchard discusses: his childhood and education, the role of Lawrie Wallace on his life, going to Vic High, driving across Canada, working in radio and plays in England, getting married and moving back to Canada. Orchard then turns to his role in the 1971 centennial, and working for the Ministry of the Provincial Secretary. Discusses changes in the civil service when the NDP took over in 1972. Clare Copeland selling the provincial government time on the radio station CFAX. Ron Worley, an aide to W.A.C. Bennett, suggested Orchard be the voice of the government in the radio commercial. Commercial was called "Ask Your Provincial Government"; ran 5 times a day on Saturdays and Sundays. Difficulty in editing ministers responses; Orchard wanted the commercials to be informative, not just advertisements for the Social Credit Party. TRACK 2: Orchard continues discussing his role in the Ministry of the Provincial Secretary: Lawrie Wallace retained as deputy minister; Orchard's "Ask Your Provincial Government" was ended; duties he was responsible for as director of public information and personnel. Orchard says he has always been a generalist, so he liked the challenge of doing different things in the ministry. Discusses working with Mrs. McCarthy, Wayne Currie; satisfaction with the eventual split between the public information and the personnel roles; the new Socred government. (End of interview)

Ernest Hall interview

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1979-01-30 SUMMARY: An interview with Ernest Hall, former Provincial Secretary and Minister of Travel Industry and NDP MLA for Surrey.;

Lawrie Wallace interview

CALL NUMBER: T3835:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Family life and early manhood PERIOD COVERED: 1913-1938 RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1981-04-16 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. L.J. Wallace recalls his early life at the William Head Quarantine Station, B.C. Born April 24, 1913. Siblings: Robert, Mary and Jack. Father was Chief Steward at Quarantine Station. Discussion of Wallace's forebears, mainly in the Metchosin area. Family to Victoria in 1916. Father's occupations. Father on Victoria School Board prior to death in 1938. Anecdote about great-great-grandmother, Granny Vine, of Metchosin. Genealogy of wife's (Lois Inata Leeming) family. Married 1942. Discussion of Wallace's siblings. All trained as educators. Active in First Presbyterian (later First United) Church. Church basketball in Victoria in 1920s. Victoria Normal School, 1931-32. Taught at Alberni Indian Residential School, 1933-36. Schooling: Bank Street School, George Jay School, Victoria; High School. TRACK 2: More on Victoria High School in 1920s: Ira Dilworth, Harry Smith, Bill Roper and other teachers. Wallace not a "recreational" reader. Admirer of Rev. Bruce Gray, Rev. W.G. Wilson, Prof. Walter Gage, William T. Straith, Ira Dilworth and Harry Smith. Part-time and summer jobs. Post-secondary education at Victoria College, Victoria Normal School and University of British Columbia. Graduated B.A., 1938 in history and mathematics. Master of Education from University of Washington 1946-47. Victoria College in the early 1930s. UBC, 1936-38. Member of Psi Upsilon fraternity. More on Alberni Indian Residential School.;

CALL NUMBER: T3835:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Early teaching career and the Royal Canadian Navy PERIOD COVERED: ca. 1920-1946 RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1981-04-16 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. L.J. Wallace tells of his parents' education. Father a member of Victoria School Board. Father prominent member of Masons and Orange Lodge. Wallace graduated UBC 1938. Taught at Duncan High School, 1938-41. Involvement with co-curricular activities while at DHS. Joined Navy in 1941. Part-time training at Naden, late 1941. Officer training at Royal Roads, 1942. Active Naval Service, beginning April 1942. Married Lois Leeming, April 1942. More on Royal Roads training. Service on RCN corvette, "Ville de Quebec". TRACK 2: More about the new RCN corvette, "Ville De Quebec". Convoy duty out of Halifax, 1942. Transferred to Fairmiles submarine chasers. Caribbean duty based in Miami, 1943. On staff of King's College, Officer training school, Halifax, 1943-45. Taught navigation and "c;ommand" techniques. Commander of training ship "Charney". V-E Day in Halifax, 1945. Wallace has command of the new training ship, "New Liskeard". VJ Day in Lunenburg, N.S. Discharged from RCN in December 1945 with rank of Lieutenant Commander. University of Washington for M.Ed., starting spring 1946. Began teaching at Victoria High School, September 1946. Daughter Marilyn born 1944.;

CALL NUMBER: T3835:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): World War II and teaching career PERIOD COVERED: 1940-1953 RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1981-04-23 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Lawrence J. Wallace comments on the cooperative spirit displayed in Canada during World War II. Comments on Wallace's family life during the war (short track, about 5 minutes). TRACK 2: Effects of the Depression on the Wallace family. Wallace's father out of work. Comments on the C.C.F. and Social Credit during the 1930s. Wallace briefly a member of the Liberal Party during the late 1940;s. Father was president of Victoria Liberal Association. Taught at Victoria High School, 1946-53. Basketball at VHS. Founding of the Vancouver Island High School Basketball Championship (short track, about 15 minutes).;

CALL NUMBER: T3835:0004 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Teaching career and British Columbia public service PERIOD COVERED: 1946-1967 RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1981-04-23 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Lawrence J. Wallace discusses his career as a teacher at Victoria High School, 1946-53. Wallace the chairman of the project to build Memorial Stadium at VHS. Assistant Director of the summer school for teachers. Unwilling to leave Victoria to become a school administrator. Joins Department of Education as Director of Community Programs Branch, October 1, 1953. Also Director of Adult Education. Wallace's appointment to the Centennial Celebrations Committee in 1955. Ray Williston and Ken Kiernan recommend a Centennial celebration for 1958. No models to follow for the 1958 Centennial. The structure of the Centennial Committee. TRACK 2: More on the structure of the 1958 Centennial Committee. The "matching grants" scheme for community projects. The scheme adopted for the Canadian Centennial in 1967 (short track, about 15 minutes).;

CALL NUMBER: T3835:0005 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): "Mr. Centennial" PERIOD COVERED: 1958-1971 RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1981-05-19 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: L.J. Wallace discusses his work on the B.C. Centennial Committees for the Centennials of 1958, 1966-67 and 1971. Visit of HRH Princess Margaret in 1958. Century Sam. More on the 1958 Centenni;al celebrations. Fort Steele Historic Park. TRACK 2: Wallace's assessment of the lasting significance of the Centennial celebrations. Wallace becomes Deputy Provincial Secretary, 1959. Centennial time capsules. Comments on Hon. W.D. Black. The Royal Tours of 1959, 1966, 1967 and 1971. Story of the British Columbia flag.;
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ALL NUMBER: T3835:0006 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Deputy Provincial Secretary and Deputy to the Premier PERIOD COVERED: 1959-1977 RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1981-05-21 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: L.J. Wallace describes major changes during his tenure as Deputy Provincial Secretary, 1959-1977. The British Columbia Civil Defence Program. The B.C. Civil Service Commission and the demise ;of "patronage". Wallace's various government appointments. Replaces George E.P. Jones on the Purchasing Commission, 1965. W.A.C. Bennett invites Wallace to become Deputy Premier. Wallace declines but agrees to become "Deputy to the Premier". TRACK 2: Discusses the change of government, 1972. Receives many job offers after defeat of Social Credit government, 1972. More on the 1972 change of government. Wallace asked by "every major party" to run for office. The working relationship between Wallace and W.D. Black. Wallace took cabinet oath, 1972. Wallace's relationship with cabinet. The NDP as ;a new government, 1972.;

CALL NUMBER: T3835:0007 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Deputy Provincial Secretary and Deputy to W.A.C. Bennett PERIOD COVERED: 1959-1975 RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1981-07-09 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: L.J. Wallace discusses his working relations with various ministers. After hours and emergency work including tsunami at Port Alberni. Wallace appointed to Purchasing Commission, 1965. Operation of Purchasing Commission. The construction of Heritage Court as a Centennial project in 1967. Delegate to meeting of Colombo Plan, 1969. Peace Arch meeting between Prime Minister Pearson, President Johnson and Premier Bennett. Named to Order of Canada, 1971. More about the provincial elections, 1972 and 1975. TRACK 2: Speculation about W.A.C. Bennett's intentions regarding resignation. Relations between Phil Gaglardi and W.A.C. Bennett. Bennett expected to be succeeded by Leslie Peterson. Succession scenarios. Wallace encouraged to run for public office but declines. Violence incident in ;New Westminster during 1972 cabinet tour. Election night, 1972. W.A.C. Bennett as Leader of the Opposition. W.A.C. Bennett's ideas about his sons in politics. The redistribution commission of 1975.;

CALL NUMBER: T3835:0008 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Agent-General and Deputy Minister to the Premier PERIOD COVERED: 1959-1981 RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1981-07-31 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: L.J. Wallace discusses his role on the Capital Improvement District Commission, 1959-77. Electoral Redistribution Commission, 1975. Change in government, December 22, 1975. Appointed Agent-General in London, 1977. Mandate as Agent-General. Made freeman of the City of London, 1978. Pays tribute to wife and family. Comments on growth of bureaucracy. Victoria High School Centennial, 1976. Becomes Deputy Minister to the Premier, 1980. As Deputy, established "Premier's Ministry". TRACK 2: Comments on his terms as deputy to W.A.C. Bennett and W.R. Bennett. The pressures on a premier. Role ;as an administrator versus policy maker. Role of "advisor". Scheduling for the Premier. Comparisons between W.A.C. Bennett and W.R. Bennett. Wallace's views of public service. Comments on attitudes in; the public service. Feels he and his brothers would have been successful in private life as well as public life. Wallace offered position in federal public service. Summary remarks. (End of interview)

Correspondence on the naming of British Columbia

  • GR-0003
  • Series
  • Typescript 1971 (originally created 1858)

The series consists of copies of correspondence between Queen Victoria and Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton on the naming of British Columbia, 24 June to 26 July 1858. The copy, made in 1971, was a gift of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, on the centenary of the province, 1871-1971.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Provincial Secretary

Orders in Council

  • GR-0113
  • Series
  • 1872-2009

The series consists of Orders in Council (OIC) created between 1872 and 2009, arranged numerically by year and then by OIC number. The series also includes some maps and text attachments which were transferred in 1974 from the Dept. of the Provincial Secretary. An Order in Council is a directive issued by the Lieutenant Governor on the advice of Cabinet authorizing certain actions, including creating simple legislation and granting political appointments.

Containers 941119-0002, 941119-0004, and 941119-0006 contain proclamations. These ledgers include a copy of the Order in Council relating to the proclamation and a copy of the proclamation. Each book contains an index listing both the OIC number and the subject of the proclamation.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Attorney-General

Correspondence and copies of theatre programmes

  • GR-0115
  • Series
  • 1932-1957

The series consists of records relating to school and community drama created by the Dept. of Education. It includes copies of theatre programmes from communities throughout the province from 1933 to 1939; correspondence regarding the 5th Annual BC Drama Finals in Vernon, 1957; and a British Columbia Drama Association cashbook dated 1932 to 1955.

British Columbia. Dept. of Education. Community Programmes Branch

Returned Soldier's Aid Commission records

  • GR-0126
  • Series
  • 1916-1920

The series consists of records created by the Provincial Secretary between 1916 and 1920, in his capacity as chairman of the British Columbia Returned Soldiers' Aid Commission. Appointed by Order-in-Council on 29 Nov 1915, the Commission was established to help with the resettlement of soldiers, sailors, and airmen who had served in the First World War.

The records include daily orders issued by Col. J.S. Harvey, Commander of Unit "J", Military Hospitals, No. XI District Depot Casualty Company and Hospital Section (Victoria, B.C. and Hastings Park, Vancouver, B.C.). The series also includes lists of B.C. men who served in the armed forces of Canada and Great Britain during the First World War. The lists are arranged by servicemen's former civilian occupation.

The records are arranged into two subseries:
A. Daily orders
B. Lists

British Columbia. Returned Solders’ Aid Commission

Records pertaining to care of indigents and destitute persons

  • GR-0150
  • Series
  • 1911-1925

The series contains records pertaining to the care of indigents and destitute persons created by the Dept. of the Provincial Secretary between 1911 and 1925.

Files consist of applications for relief, supporting documents from police constables and government agents, case files, administrative reports, and general correspondence. Reports on unemployment in specific communities in British Columbia, ca. 1911-1918 are also included.

Records created prior to 1923 were filed numerically and constituted a separate records series within the Provincial Secretary's office. Records created after 1923 were kept alphabetically, by name of applicant. Regrettably, contemporary registers and indices for these records have not survived.

Although it was "the duty of every city and district municipality to make suitable provision for its poor" [Municipal Act, RSBC 1911, c.170 s.526], the Department of the Provincial Secretary was largely responsible for the care of indigents and other destitute people in British Columbia. In fact, prior to the creation of the Department of Health and Welfare in 1946, the Provincial Secretary's office was often the only source of support for deserted wives and children, indigent widows and elderly persons, disabled workers and others in need of public welfare.

The Provincial Secretary administered funds to such groups through charitable accounts, the Workmen's Compensation Board, the Provincial Board of Health, and other agencies. At the local level, relief payments were often distributed by Provincial Police constables or Government Agents.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Provincial Secretary

Provincial Secretary general office files and indexes

  • GR-0154
  • Series
  • 1951-1962

The series consists of general office files created by the Dept. of the Provincial Secretary between 1951 and 1962 with their card indexes.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Provincial Secretary

Records with regard to Royal visits

  • GR-0155
  • Series
  • 1938-1959

The series consists of records with regard to Royal visits created by the Dept. of the Provincial Secretary between 1939 and 1959. The records include correspondence, circulars, programmes, press releases, menus, etc. concerning the visit to British Columbia by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, 1939. Also includes programmes re: 1958 visit of the Princess Margaret and the visit of H.M. the Queen and Prince Philip in 1959.

The series also contains 2 photographs of paintings and some maps.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Provincial Secretary

Ballots and other material

  • GR-0156
  • Series
  • 1945

The series consists of ballots (blank and marked) and general instructions on voting procedures, along with a list of returning officers for the 1945 general election.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Provincial Secretary

Provincial Secretary correspondence

  • GR-0157
  • Series
  • 1913-1916

The series consists of correspondence, 1913-1916, that was originally a part of the Provincial Secretary's Central Registry. The records include grant applications from charitable organizations (e.g. Salvation Army Rescue and Maternity Home, Vancouver); petitions from various citizens groups and trades organizations (e.g. re: Pacific Great Eastern railway, prohibition, and Weekly Half Holiday Act); plus files on diverse topics such as the Belgian Relief Fund (which was administered by the Provincial Secretary), the Progress Club of Vancouver, the provincial coat-of-arms, prohibition, half-day closing, the Provincial Archives and W.W. Walkem's "Stories of Early British Columbia".

British Columbia. Dept. of the Provincial Secretary

Provincial Secretary records with regard to protocol

  • GR-0158
  • Series
  • 1964-1974

The series consists of Dept. of the Provincial Secretary general office files, 1964-1974. It contains records with subjects relating to protocol and routine operations of government.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Provincial Secretary

Memorandum of co-operation between the Province of British Columbia and the State of Washington

The item consists of a two page memorandum of co-operation dated July 10 1972. The memorandum is signed by Premier W.A.C. Bennett and Washington State Governor Daniel J. Evans and is an agreement to protect the common water boundary consisting of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Strait of Georgia, Puget Sound and their adjacent waters from the dangers of oil spills.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Provincial Secretary

Scrapbook of accounts

  • GR-0165
  • Series
  • 1911-1912

The series consists of a scrapbook created by the Dept. of Provincial Secretary from 1911 to 912. It contains accounts submitted by provincial newspapers for payment of advertisements of government notices.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Provincial Secretary

Indigents Fund applications

  • GR-0166
  • Series
  • 1939-1941

The series consists of Application for Relief forms created by the Dept. of the Provincial Secretary between 1939 and 1941. Each form gives applicants' name, age, place of residence, marital status, financial status and number of dependents.

The forms, which are numbered from 600501 to 604500, were evidently a part of a larger registry. Unfortunately, other application forms from the registry have not survived. Contemporary registers and indexes to the application forms have not survived either.

Most of the forms in this series are from August-November 1939, although a few are dated as late as November 1941. The forms are arranged by community, with a very few discrepancies in the order. Application forms from the city of Vancouver are, for the most part, arranged alphabetically by the first initial of the applicants' surname.

An oath of allegiance was required from those applying for financial assistance from the provincial government. Oath of Allegiance forms from the years 1940-1942 are to be found in Box 7 of this collection. There is no discernible order to the Oath forms, although a number of them refer to the Application for Relief forms noted above.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Provincial Secretary

Correspondence regarding interpretation of the Superannuation Act

  • GR-0168
  • Series
  • 1920-1922

The series consists of correspondence of the Dept. of the Provincial Secretary with the Civil Service Commissioner from 1920 to 1922 regarding interpretation of the Superannuation Act and representations made by the Provincial Civil Service Association on various matters.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Provincial Secretary

Memorandum with explanatory notes regarding voting regulations

The file consists of a 12 page memorandum created by Special Officer G.H. Ward for the Dept. of the Provincial Secretary in 1941. The memo concerns the B.C. general election held on October 9, 10, 11, 1941 and the B.C. Active Service Vote in the United Kingdom with explanatory notes re active service voting regulations.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Provincial Secretary

Mental Health Services correspondence

  • GR-0283
  • Series
  • 1947-1966

The series consists of correspondence of the Deputy Minister and minutes pertaining to the federal Advisory Committee on Mental Health, 1947-1966; report on mental health legislation in B.C., by the Faculty of Law, U.B.C., May 1959; and correspondence and position papers of the province at various federal-provincial conferences and for various Royal Commissions.

British Columbia. Mental Health Services

Provincial Secretary executive records

  • GR-0285
  • Series
  • 1949-1975

The series consists of correspondence from various members of the Royal family expressing gratitude for arrangements made for them during visits to B.C. (1959 to 1971), certificates, reports of various royal commissions and commissions of inquiry, and minutes of various committees and commissioners on which Mr. Wallace served in his capacity as Deputy Provincial Secretary.

The series also includes a photograph album of the opening of the Hope-Princeton Highway in 1949 and other photographs.

British Columbia. Office of the Deputy Provincial Secretary

Indigent Fund administration files

  • GR-0289
  • Series
  • 1914-1933 [predominant 192-]

The series consists of records created by the Deputy Provincial Secretary between 1914 and 1933 pertaining to the administration of funds for the "aid of the destitute, poor, and sick."

Between 1872 and 1942, an annual vote of funds was included in the estimates of the B.C. legislature. The fund, which was administered by the Office of the Provincial Secretary, originally contained $500. By 1935, this figure had risen to $110,000; but in the fund's final year of existence, 1943, the vote of funds had declined to $40,000.

The Indigent Fund, unlike the Mother's Pension, the Old Age Pension (1927), or the Veterans Assistance plans was not tied to an Act of Parliament, and thus relief was provided to people under a wide range of circumstances, and included many who failed to qualify for assistance under specific federal or provincial schemes. The fund was designed to meet the immediate and shortterm needs of rural B.C. residents (municipalities had their own funds) who through misfortune or bad planning had found themselves without "the necessities of life." The key to the fund, until the early 1930s, when the position of Superintendent of Welfare was created, was the Deputy Provincial Secretary, for it was often at his discretion that assistance was provided. He was aided in his duties by the various Government Agents, who were responsible for handling vouchers, disbursing cheques, and reporting to Victoria any new developments in individual cases. They, in turn, were assisted by Provincial Police constables who usually investigated each case and submitted a report.

The records consist of correspondence inward and outward from the Deputy Provincial Secretary's office; correspondence from Government Agents to the Deputy Provincial Secretary; Provincial Police reports on the condition of Indigents; correspondence from indigents or persons representing them to the Premier, Ministers, and the Deputy Provincial Secretary; and miscellaneous correspondence to and from various government departments and agencies such as Workman's Compensation Board, Department of Immigration, public hospitals, police departments etc.

The files are arranged alphabetically by the last name of the indigent. They are not, however, arranged alphabetically within each folder. There are two alphabetical series, as well as two sets of files titled "miscellaneous". All files have been preserved in their original order.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Provincial Secretary

Provincial secretary correspondence

  • GR-0344
  • Series
  • 1917-1926

This series consists of correspondence inward and outward, and interdepartmental memos of the Provincial Secretary, pertaining to provincial mental health care institutions, mothers' pensions, child welfare, and adoption laws from 1918-1926.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Provincial Secretary

Civil Service War Memorial Fund agreement records

  • GR-0346
  • Series
  • 1930-1970

Agreement between George Griffith Aitken and John L. Colbert and the Trustees of the Civil Service War Memorial Fund, 1930; bank savings and chequing accounts, 1932 - 1970.

British Columbia. Dept. of the Provincial Secretary

Provincial Secretary correspondence

  • GR-0393
  • Series
  • 1913

Correspondence replying to the invitation of the Premier and Executive Council to dine with the Captain and officers of H.M.S. "New Zealand."

British Columbia. Dept. of the Provincial Secretary

Joint Reserve Commission records received by the Provincial Secretary

The records in this series consist of correspondence and reports inward to the Provincial Secretary from the Joint Indian Reserve Commission (Alexander Caulfield Anderson, Dominion Commissioner, Archibald McKinlay, Provincial Commissioner, and Gilbert Malcolm Sproat, Joint Commissioner). The records include reports; summaries of work; minutes of decision; census of Indian population, livestock and acreage of reserves; and two memoranda dated 1869 by J.W. Trutch regarding disputes about Indian lands in Cowichan district.

Copies of correspondence inward to the Lieutenant Governor from the Commissioners and certain correspondence with Dominion Officials is also included in the record. The records are as originally filed. In most cases, the original Provincial Secretary's file number may be seen on the first document in a file, eg., for file 3 the number is 664/76, representing the 664 document received in the year 1876.

Joint Reserve Commission

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