VPRS 1081 Register of Executive Council Papers

The Executive Council of Victoria, (VA 2903) currently comprising the Governor and Ministers of the Crown meets weekly for the formal exercise of the Governors executive authority. This Council has been given numerous specific powers under various Acts of Parliament. Between 1851 and 1855 the Governor as the executive arm of Government was not subject to parliamentary control with the Council then composed of the main appointed officers of the administration with the Governor.This series consists of a Register of the papers (or Minutes) to be presented to the Executive Council at meetings. Details include the number of the Minute, the alphabetical Letter of Each Subject of Memorial, the Colonial Secretarys Number of Papers forming Appendices to the Minutes (given as an annual single number or file number) and the Subject of Papers forming Applications. These subject summaries are to do with all aspects of public administration such as immigration, gold discoveries and the administration of the goldfields, the plans of townships, the appointment of officials and other matters for which Orders-in-Council were required to give them effect.