Guide 3 to NSW State Archives relating to Responsible Government - OCR - Flipbook - Page 95
A Guide to New South Wales State Archives relating to Responsible Government
printed, and final signed printed, Proclamation of 13 May 1856
notifying the names of those gentlemen who have been
summoned to the first Legislative Council constituted by the Act of
Council 17 Vic No.41 (the Constitution Act); and a copy of a
circular letter from the Colonial Secretary's Office of 17 May to
those gentlemen summoned concerning the writ of summons and
the first meeting of the Legislature on Thursday, 22 May 1856.
Executive Council
Minute books - 1856 Minutes
CGS 4232,
The Minutes of the Executive Council for 1856 relate to a number
of matters pertaining to the establishment of responsible
government, including on 22 and 28 February 1856 - timing for
holding the General Elections; on 9 May 1856 - 31 gentlemen who
had accepted a seat in the Legislative Council and should be
summoned; on 13 May 1856 - appointment of Sir Alfred Stephen
as President of the Legislative Council, and the formal proceedings
proposed to be taken on the occasion of the first assembling of
Parliament; on 19 May 1856 - the appointment of Commissioners
to do and perform various matters and things required to be
carried out on the occasion of the opening of the local Parliament;
and, on 4 August 1856 - departmental arrangements and
responsibilities under the altered form of Government.
microfilm copy
SR Reel 2441,
[4/1533]
An index in the front of the volume can assist in finding relevant
Minutes - entries under index headings such as Bills, Departmental
arrangements, Despatches, Elections, Electoral duties, Legislative
Assembly, Legislative Council, Parliament Colonial, and Returning
Officer are particularly worth examining.
Minute books — 1856-57 Minutes
CGS 4232,
On 15 and 22 September 1856 the Executive Council considered
the mode of conducting the public business of the Colony under
the altered form of Government. On 22 September the Council
opined that "the Ministerial action of the responsible advisers of
the Crown in this Colony with reference to all public questions
whether disposed of on their individual responsibility, or upon the
advice of the Executive Council should be regulated by the
following principles" which it went on to enumerate. The eighth of
these eleven principles related to the primary interaction of the
Governor with the Ministry —
microfilm copy
SR Reel 2442,
[4/1534]
The first Minister being more immediately responsible for the
general Policy of the Government will probably be in more
constant communication with the Governor than his Colleagues
and will be regarded by His Excellency on all occasions as
representing the entire Ministry and speaking for them. How far
he may discuss with the Governor matters under the control of
his Colleagues will be arranged or tacitly understood between
him and them, but between the Governor and himself all
statements made and opinions expressed by him respecting any
part of the public Policy of the Country ought to be taken as the
Policy of the whole Executive.
The administrative arrangements as settled on 4 August 1856
were reviewed by the Executive Council on its meeting on
13 October 1856 and a number of modifications adopted. In
State Records Authority of New South Wales
93
