The "B" box collection relates mainly to the period 1930 to 1950, although there are some documents as early as 1926 and some all late as 1961. This inventory boar the title "Part I" as there have been subsequent deposits of the Institute's archives which will be inventoried at a later date.

The "B" box collection has been retained as an entity in accordance with Standard archival practice and the files have been kept in their original order. Many of the files overlap and contain material irrelevant to the subject matter of the file. In view of the extensive use made of the collection over the last ten years by researchers who took references according to the then existing arrangement, it was decided not to re-sort. The present box numbers have been retained, but the files which previously bore an alphabetical notation have now been given a numerical one, e.g. the original 4f now becomes 4.6.

This inventory lists the number of items in each file, mention the names of the principal correspondents, indicates the subject field and itemises anything of particular importance. A brief sketch of the Institute is included and a comprehensive index of all personal names mentioned in the inventory and of selective subject fields has been provided, thus bringing together scattered subjects. The words "Native", "African", "Bantu" and "Non-European" have been used where they were the approved nomenclature of the day.

Subjects covered are the social and economic conditions of Blacks, Coloureds and Indians, with particular reference to education, literacy, land, farm labour, labour relations, housing, the urban Black, health and welfare services, medical training, juvenile delinquency, the liquor problem, discriminatory legislation and penal reform. This collection, covering almost three decades, in of great importance to economic, social and political historians.

Anna M. Cunningham, 1 August 1981.

Memoranda.

Correspondence and memoranda re Black trade unions, economic position of Blacks, industrial development in South Africa, Unemployment Insurance Act, Black townships and housing: activities of Johannesburg Joint Council of Europeans and African, African Townships Committee Johannesburg and district and Joint Native Advisory Boards, recreation and education for Blacks, correspondence between B.A. Reed and J.H. Hofmeyr re Orlando Township.

Includes minutes, reports and memoranda.

Correspondence between the secretary Mrs F.S. Livie-Noble and Rheinallt Jones re political developments in South Africa, Joint Councils and Hertzog Native Bills.

Papers relating to the activities of the Natal Coastal Region Branch of the S.A.I.R.R., Group Areas Sub-Committee, to make a thorough study of the legislation, the plans submitted and proclamations made in terms of this legislation and to make recommendations to the Regional Committee for any action that was deemed to be necessary in relation thereto".

Includes minutes of meetings, correspondence, reports and notes on the investigation into group areas focusing on Durban and Natal by Prof. Hansi Pollak, Chairman of the sub-committee.

Also includes articles by Prof. Leo Kuper on group areas. Relates to the effect of the Group Areas proclamations on the Indian community in Durban.