Colonial Secretary Guide - Flipbook - Page 340
- 338 46.
Copies of letters to the Legislative Council, 7 August 1843 - 9 March 1855
1 vol
Copies of letters mainly to the Speaker or Clerk of the Council transmitting commissions of
nominated members of the Council, writs for elections and official papers to be laid before the
Council; and correspondence on the appointment of returning officers and other miscellaneous
matters affecting the Council or its members.
The elections for the first Legislative Council under the new constitution of 1842 were completed
by July 1843 and Gipps opened the first session on 3 August, the month this volume begins.
47.
Indexes:
In front of volume
Location:
4/3777; microfilm copy AO Reel 2862
Copies of letters to the Master Attendant, masters of ships, the Harbour Master and the Port
Master, 11 August 1828 - 28 April 1855 8 vols
Continued from series 52, this series includes copies of letters addressed to the Master Attendant,
from 1833 to the Harbour Master also, and from 1843 the Port Master only. There are also letters
to the masters of ships engaged on government business up to about 1834, the supervision of
such ships being one of his most important duties.
The Master Attendant was charged with constant attendance in the Dock Yard, muster of convicts
employed, custody of the store, equipment of vessels, building of boats, account of the cargoes
received and of fittings and materials from convict ships and inspection of the accounts of the
masters of colonial vessels for provisions embarked for crews and convicts. He also had the
duties of a harbourmaster and control of the boats used to guard against the escape of convicts.
The office of Master Attendant was instituted by Macquarie on Bigge's recommendation in
January 1821. The object was to relieve the Chief Engineer, a military officer, of duties that Bigge
believed were beyond his compass. John Nicholson, R.N., was appointed as Harbour Master,
taking over most of the port duties formerly performed by the Naval Officer, who became
essentially a customs officer only. His office received statutory recognition by the Shipping Act
of 1825.
See also series 65 for letters to the Master Attendant re quarantine.
48.
Indexes:
In front of volumes
Location:
4/3778-85; microfilm copy AO Reels 2862-2864
Shelf List:
See Appendix p. 356
Copies of letters to Medical Staff, 4 December 1826 - 27 July 1855
6 vols
Copies of letters addressed to the officer in charge of the colony's medical department who was
known until 1828 as the Principal Surgeon, from that date as the Inspector of Hospitals, from 1836
as the Deputy Inspector General of Hospitals and from 1848 as the Medical Adviser to the
Government. There are also letters to the President of the Medical Board and to the surgeon
superintendents of convict transports.
Most of the letters after 1848 are addressed to the Medical Adviser to the Government. Letters to
the Health Office and also letters relating to quarantine are in series 43 and 65 respectively.
Indexes:
In front of volumes
Location:
4/3786-91; microfilm copy AO Reels 2864-2866
Shelf List:
See Appendix pp. 356-57
