NRS-4235 | Registers of minute papers laid before the Executive Council

Full description

Registers of minute papers received from government departments and private persons tabled before the Executive Council. Prior to 1856 registers show, for each minute paper: Executive Council registration number; Colonial Secretary's in-letter registration numbers of minute papers received together with the Colonial Secretary's in-letter registration numbers for accompanying papers (eg. previous correspondence on the same subject; Governor's minutes and memoranda, etc.); the subject of each minute paper, and from whom the minute paper was received by the Colonial Secretary; disposition of each minute paper after being dealt with by the Council (ie. to whom sent, date of transmission); and "result of application" (normally indicating that the minute paper was returned with a copy of, or an extract from, the Minutes of the meeting at which it was discussed).

The year 1856 is a clear dividing point in the role and procedure of the Executive Council. Prior to that date minute papers on matters requiring the consent of the Governor-in-Council were sent to the Clerk of the Council, and laid before the Council by the Governor. Most minute papers came through the office of the Colonial Secretary, although some petitions came directly from individuals. When the Council made its determination the minute papers were returned to the appropriate department for action - this being normally the Colonial Secretary - together with an extract from the Minutes of the Council's proceedings, containing the Council's decision.

After 1856, however, minute papers were received from ministerial departments, and the column in each register which had previously indicated the Colonial Secretary's registration number showed the departmental registration number instead. This procedure became standardized after 1859; the third and fourth columns, which showed the Colonial Secretary's registration number for each minute paper received being replaced by a column headed "Registered Number, Departmental".

The volumes indicate the location of the original minute papers should the summary in the Minute books prove inadequate.

This series loses most of its usefulness after September 1900 when departmental registration numbers ceased to be entered, and subject entries become so brief that little indication of the contents of minute papers can be obtained. The series appears to have been discontinued in January 1909.

(4/1453-512). 60 vols.

Note:
This description is extracted from Concise Guide to the State Archives of New South Wales, 3rd Edition 2000.