Among the periodicals (or “serials”) held at Heritage Quay is “Justice of the Peace and Local Government Review” (originally “Justice of the Peace”). We hold 221 volumes, covering 1838-1959; the run includes supplement and index volumes.

The publication started in 1837, as a weekly summary of legal cases, with editorial comment, and later correspondence and short articles. Job advertisements for local government posts as well as commercial and charitable advertisements are included.

As well as local government public health, public assistance, rates and rating, highways, housing, town and country planning, licensing, landlord and tenant, and magisterial law and procedure, the periodical strikes me as a great source for social history in general.