NRS-19245 | Register of gold licenses [stationery stock book]

This volume records the methods used by the Colonial Storekeeper to keep track of his supply of blank stationery for the licensing of gold mining. It contains a number of related monthly numerical tables. These list who requested supplies of blank licenses, the district, dates requested and supplied, the type of license forms sent, how many were sent (either number of licenses or number of books), supplies ordered from printers, and the number left in stock. The only names contained in this series are those of the Assistant Gold Commissioners, the Colonial Storekeeper, and printers.This series includes the followingPages 1 to 39: 'Monthly register of blank licenses issued to the Assistant Gold Commissioners pursuant to the instructions conveyed in the Colonial Secretary's Letter dated 10 December 1851, No.192', 8 December 1851 to 20 May 1857. This list records which Assistant Gold Commissioner requested supplies, the district to which sent, when ordered and sent, the type of form sent and how many were sent. It is totalled at the end of each month. The Colonial Secretary's letter required that the License books should be despatched before 15 December 1851. (1)Initially only three types of licenses are listed: mining on Crown Lands, mining on Private Lands, and Trader's licenses. From January 1853 the first two categories (Crown Lands and Private Lands) are divided by Monthly licenses and Half Monthly licenses. Trader's licenses were only issued monthly. In addition these categories are further subdivided into licenses issued to British Subjects and licenses issued to Foreigners. From October 1853 the forms revert back to Crown Lands, Private Lands and Trader's Licenses. From November 1853 two additional licenses were added. These were Prospecting Licenses and Servants' Registry Tickets. From April 1857 the table refers only to Miner's Rights and Business Licenses.Pages 168 to 169: 'Statement shewing the number of Gold License books received and issued during each month under the Amended "Management of Gold Fields Act"', October 1853 to December 1855. This is a monthly summary, with six monthly totals, of the number of each type of license issued and the number still in stores. It is also divided by type of license.Page 170: 'Miners' Rights received from Government Printer', April and May 1857.Pages 181 to 182: [Return of obsolete licenses books destroyed], 18 October 1853, as per Colonial Secretary's letter of 13 October, No.119. These forms were redundant due to changes brought about by 'An Act for regulating the Management of the Gold Fields of New South Wales ...' of 1852 and 'An Act to amend the Act for regulating the Management of the Gold Fields' of 1853.Pages 183 to 187: 'No of Gold License Books received', 1 March 1853 to December 1856. This return lists date received, type of form and from which printer received.Page 190: 'Return of blank licenses issued to the Gold Commissioners', April 1857. This refers to Miners Right's and Business Licences.Pages 191 to 252 starting at the back of the volume: 'Return of blank licenses issued to the Assistant Gold Commissioners for the month of .... pursuant to the instruction annexed in the Colonial Secretary's letter dated 10th December No.192'. These are copies of the returns sent monthly to the Auditor General from January 1853 to December 1856 and many are signed John Buchanan. They provide similar information to the 'Monthly register of blank licenses'.This series demonstrates the alteration to the licensing system over time reflected by legislative changes. For further information see Activity 192, Gold mining.Custody HistoryThis volume was received as an estray from the Australian Museum.Endnote1. Colonial Secretary; NRS 954, Copies of letters to the Colonial Storekeeper, 1835-1856, [4/3642] 3 May 1850 to 1 Nov 1854, Reel 2990.