The Colonial Office papers contain correspondence, printed material and papers which were created or accumulated as a result of WSC's activities as Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, a position held from December 1905 to April 1908. The papers have been divided into correspondence (until the end of 1907 only) and subject-based files and are arranged chronologically.The Colonial Office material covers WSC's routine ministerial duties as well as the specific issues of the period including: South African affairs, such as the framing of the Transvaal and Orange River Colony [later Orange Free State] constitutions, the use of Chinese indentured labour in the Transvaal mining industry, and the Zulu revolt in Natal; colonial railway schemes and land settlement; the cotton growing and fishing industries, communication between Great Britain and the Colonies; and trade between the Dominions. The Colonial Conference in London in April 1907 and WSC's journey to East Africa from September 1907 to January 1908, also feature.The material contains correspondence with leading politicians of the day, particularly 9th Lord Elgin and Kincardine, Secretary of State for the Colonies, and various colonial officials, such as 2nd Lord Selborne, Governor of the Transvaal and High Commissioner for South Africa.