VPRS 7161 Register of Mining Board Elections

This series comprises a register of Mining Board elections. The Mining Boards established by the provisions of the Gold Fields Act 1857, were originally constituted from annually elected representatives within the particular mining districts. The Mining Boards consisted of ten elected members (including Chairman), as well as a Returning Officer who was appointed by the Governor-in-Council. Under the provisions of the Act, the Returning Officer was required to give notice of the annual elections in local newspapers, one month prior to the event. The Mining Boards appointed officers for inspection of sludge and water channels and collected rates and charges. The Boards determined by-laws for the regulation of mining operations within their district. Each entry relates to a specific election and are divided into columns detailing: Division (area within Mining District); Polling Place; Voles Polled per Candidate - Candidates name and address; Total Votes per Polling Place; Elected; Deputy Returning Officers (Name, Occupation, and Address; Deputy R.O.'s Fees - Pounds, Shillings, Pence; Travelling Allowance (if any) - Pounds, Shillings, Pence; Miles Travelled; Other Expenses in detail (Rent, Cleaning etc) Give Name of Claimants and Amounts of each; Pounds, Shillings, Pence; Total Cost Per Polling Place. At the bottom of each page two other sections included are: Remarks; Advertising (not tabulated and printing) - Name of Newspaper and Proprietor, Notice, Nomination, Election Result, Total No. of Inches, Rate per inch, Pounds, Shillings, Pence; Grand Total. Samples of Nomination Papers, Forms for requesting Advertisement of Elections in Local Newspapers, a letter from the Department of Mines and Water Supply, and other forms were pasted into the front of the register. It is unknown whether other volumes pre or post dating this volume were created. This series was originally titled Record book - Mining Board Returns by service providers. An evaluation of the supplied documentation in 2025 amended the series title and minor amendments were made to this series description.