VPRS 3688 Mining Surveyors's Survey Field Books, Ballarat Mining Division

This series consists of survey field books made by the Mining Surveyor in the course of surveys conducted. These volumes provide details of the land surveyed. In the course of their duties, Mining Wardens were on occasion required to instruct the Mining Surveyor within their Mining Division to conduct a survey. Surveys would be undertaken for the following reasons: - as part of the process of considering applications for mining leases or licences received, - if deemed necessary in resolving disputed territories in cases before him - in instances where applicants sought to obtain land through license, lease or purchase under one of the various Lands Acts of the 1860's because some land could only be alienated if there was no objection from the Minister of Mines or if special mining conditions were imposed, or - from 1884, as part of the process of considering applications for leases or agreements for mining on privately owned land.