VPRS 12569 Minutes

The Victorian Railway Commissioners were established by The Victorian Railways Commissioners Act 1883 (No. 767). The first meeting coincided with the date the Act came into operation, 1 February 1884. Section 17 of the Act stated that, 'the Commissioners shall keep minutes of all their proceedings in such manner and form as the Governor in Council from time to time directs'. The Board of Commissioners consisted of three Commissioners, one of whom was the Chairman, who was appointed by the Governor in Council.This series was created to record the minutes of the Victorian Railway Commissioners' meetings. Recorded were summary details of the general administrative activities of the Board discussed at the meetings, any decisions on general matters, correspondence received, tenders approved, appointments, summaries of reports, and budget and expenditure information. Minutes related to a wide range of activities for which the Board was responsible and were generally divided into the following sections:Introduction,Rulings, authorities, decisions and approvals given on correspondence (numbered as stated) submitted for Commissioners' consideration,Retiring allowances to employees,Tenders authorised,Works and expenditure authorised,Penalties incurred on contracts that were ordered to be remitted,Resignations, retirements and dismissals approved,Prosecutions, andNumbered documents to which the corporate seal was attached.