VPRS 943 Blue Books and Statistics

Full description

Series comprises statistical returns from government departments. The contents of the series changes over time as the functions of the Victorian Government become more complex, reports are received from other sources (for example from the Treasurer and the Commissioner of Trade and Customs), and agricultural and manufacturing statistics become far more significant for the developing colony.

At the commencement of the series in 1851 the series is known simply as Blue Books and consists of statistical returns from Government Departments for the benefit of the Colonial Office, the Governor, the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly.

Included are statistical returns for the following:
- Taxes, duties, fees and other sources of revenue
- Comparative yearly statements
- Local revenues
- Military expenditure
- Public works
- Legislation
- Council and Assembly
- Civil Establishment
- Security for discharge of duties
- Pensions
- Recapitulation
- Foreign Consuls
- Population
- Ecclesiastical Return
- Education
- Coins, Exchanges
- Imports and Exports
- Agriculture, Vineyards and Livestock
- Manufactures
- Grants of Land
- Gaols and Prisons
- Convictions
- Criminals Executed
- Postage
- Litigation
- Mortgages on Live stock
- Mortgages on Land

By 1854 a return from charitable institutions had been added.

By 1855 the series evolved into a report from the Registrar General to both Houses of Parliament and became known as Blue Book and Statistics. Reports regarding revenue were omitted as revenue reports were to be presented by the Treasurer. The Blue Book section of the report included a list of Governors and Ministries since responsible government in 1855, the members of the Executive Council, Legislative Council, Legislative Assembly, and foreign consuls. Far greater emphasis began to be placed on agricultural statistics. The Statistics section of the report included a statistical report of:
- Population
- Lunatics
- Postage
- Churches
- Agriculture by County
- Livestock on Purchased Land by County
- Mills
- Mines
- Live Stock Slaughtered
- Criminals Executed
- Mortgages on Land
- Preferable liens on wool
- Litigation
- Convictions

By 1869 the return included the Blue Book section as described above and the statistics had been refined to focus on population, finance, law crime, accumulation, production, vital statistics births, deaths, diseases, hospitals and statistics on religious moral and intellectual progress.

By 1915 the series includes the Blue Book as described above. However by this stage the Blue Book also includes:
- Chief officers of statutory bodies such as the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works, the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, and the State Savings Bank of Victoria;
- Officers not under the Public Service Commissioner from the Crown Law Department, Department of Public Works, Department of the Hospitals for the Insane, Railway department and Police Department.
It does not list officers under the Public Service Board. These officers are listed in the Government Gazette.

The statistics section focuses on :
- Law, crime
- Finance
- Vital statistics (birth, death etc.)
- Municipal statistics
- Population
- Accumulation
- Social Conditions
- Production