Colonial Secretary Guide - Flipbook - Page 330
- 328 23.
Copies of letters to the Commissariat, 6 October 1826 - 28 August 1879
13 vols
This was an Imperial, not a Colonial, department. It was concerned mainly with stores and
accounts, particularly those relating to convict and military establishments. These volumes
include copies of letters addressed principally to the Deputy Commissary General, but also to the
Commissary of Accounts and to other officers of this department.
They consist of
correspondence and instructions about stores and accounts, particularly of course those
connected with the convict and military establishments. From 1874 the paymaster in charge at
the naval depot was responsible for expenses on the few remaining Imperial convicts and the
later letters are addressed to that officer.
24.
Indexes:
In front of volumes
Location:
4/3645-57; microfilm copy AO Reels 2991-2995
Shelf List:
See Appendix p. 354
Copies of letters to the Commissioners of Claims, appointed under 4 Will. IV no. 9, 7 October
1833 - 8 January 1841 1 vol (part)
Letters sent to Commissioners of Claims appointed under 4 Will. IV. no.9, called "An Act for
Appointing and Empowering Commissioners to hear and determine upon Claims to Grants of
Lands under the Great Seal of the Colony of New South Wales".
Many people held land without sufficient legal title. This was a result of the previous practice
when orders for land were an everyday occurrence and more often than not the Governor simply
issued an order specifying the number of acres, and no other legal record was made of the
transaction. This Act, then, was an attempt to clear up the confusion thus created. The
Commissioners were apparently appointed for a period of two years, as this was the period
covered by the Act. In 1835 a similar Act was passed renewing the 1833 Act with certain
alterations and amendments.
From 24 August 1836, a new letter book was commenced, which contained copies of letters to the
Commissioners appointed under the 1835 Act (5 Will. IV. no.21) (series 25). The overlap between
the two series is probably because of the work still in hand at the end of the two year period.
The volume is labelled "Commissioners of Titles".
25.
Indexes:
In front of volume
Location:
4/6188 pp.1-232; microfilm copy AO Reel 2996
Copies of letters to Commissioners of Claims, appointed under 5 Will. IV. no.21, 24 August
1836 - 13 March 1849 1 vol
Letters sent to the Commissioners of Claims appointed under 5 Will. IV. no.21, entitled "An Act
for appointing and empowering Commissioners to examine and report upon Claims to Grants of
Land, under the Great Seal of the Colony of New South Wales". It was actually an Act renewing
with certain alterations and amendments 4 Will. IV. no.9 (see series 24). However the original
(4 Will. IV. no.9) was only in force for two years.
The letters relate to applications for deeds, reports to the Commissioners and discussion of policy
and points of law, claims to grants of land referred to the Commissioners, and cases where fees
were approved.
The numbers in red in the margin relate to Colonial Secretary's papers.
Indexes:
In front of volume - by name and subject
Location:
4/3658; microfilm copy AO Reel 2920
