Colonial Secretary Guide - Flipbook - Page 333
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30.
Copies of letters sent re convicts, 6 October 1826 -18 May 1855
30 vols
Copies of letters mainly to the Principal Superintendent of Convicts and to the Land Board in
relation to the assignment of convict servants. In 1831 this Board became the Board for the
Assignment of Convict Servants and in turn was replaced by a Commissioner for the Assignment
of Convict Servants in 1836.
A note in the volume for 1855 refers one to the series Copies of Letters to Penal Establishments
(39) for letters to the Principal Superintendent of Convicts subsequent to 18 May 1855, but this
volume has not been located in that series. The office of Principal Superintendent was
discontinued in December 1855, his functions being largely taken over by the Convict Branch of
the Police Department.
31.
Indexes:
In front of volumes, with the exception of 4/3666 and 4/3674-76; 4/3673 indexes
4/3672, 4/3677 indexes 4/3675 and 4/3690 indexes 4/3689.
Location:
4/3665-94; microfilm copy of 4/3665-76 and 4/3678-94 at AO Reels 1041-1055 and
2649-2650
Shelf List:
See Appendix pp. 354-55
Copies of letters to the Collector and Controller of Customs and the Surveyor of Distilleries,
3 January 1827 - 7 September 1855 6 vols
Copies, summaries or notes of letters principally to the Collector and Controller of Customs and a
few to his staff and until December 1828, to the Surveyor of Distilleries. From February 1828 to
1838 letters to this officer are in series 19 and from 1849 in series 38. From 1840-48 letters
addressed to the Inspector or Superintendent of Distilleries are again here.
Series 65 includes some letters to the Collector re quarantine.
The imposition of customs duties in New South Wales really began in 1800 when Governor
Hunter, with the object of raising funds to complete the gaol, levied a charge on liquor imported
into the colony. Subsequently Governor King extended the scheme in order to swell his Orphan
Fund and the collection of import duties became a regular responsibility of the Naval Officer of
the port. By 1826 Darling found the staff performing this duty, consisting of the Naval Officer
himself and one Clerk, was hopelessly inadequate, and appointed a Board to investigate.
On 9 April 1827 the first commission as Collector of Customs was issued to the veteran J. T.
Campbell, Captain Rossi being transferred from the Police department and appointed
comptroller. (The customs department remained a branch of the imperial customs until 1851
when the establishment was transferred to the colonial government.)
These letters begin when Piper was still Naval Officer but correspondence with him after his
dismissal is continued in series 11. The letters are mostly on routine business; exemption from or
collection of dues, interpretation of regulations, arrangements about landing imported goods and
some quarantine matters.
Indexes:
There is a subject index to each volume and also entries for officials, other than the
Collector of Customs, addressed.
Location:
4/3695-700; microfilm copy AO Reels 2855-2856
Shelf List:
See Appendix p. 355
