Resident Commissioner of Crown Lands for the Gold Fields at Ballarat

Full description

Establishment

Legislation allowing the appointment of Commissioners of Crown Land began with the 1833 NSW Executive Council Act 4 William IV No. 10 (see also 5 William IV No. 12). The functions of Goldfields Commissioners in Victoria in 1853 were established in 15 Vic., No 15. That act was amended by 17 Vic., No. 1, and 17 Vic., No 4, the latter being An Act for the better management of the Gold Fields in the Colony of Victoria. A Gold Fields Department existed in Melbourne by 1854, headed by a Chief Commissioner, and most likely under the ultimate control of the Colonial Secretary. The relationship with the Lands Department is not clear and requires further research. During the early goldrush period Lieutenant-Governors C. J. La Trobe and Sir Charles Hotham continued the practice of governors personally selecting lands and goldfields commissioners.

Function

A Crown Lands Commissioner with gold mining responsibilities was first sent to Ballarat in 1851. Later, commissioners roles and responsibilities were better described in the 1853 legislation. By then, the position (now held by J. M. Clow) included issuing and detecting avoidance of licences and fees, settling mining disputes, and responsibility for order on the goldfield. At smaller goldfields, the Commissioner also acted as a magistrate.

The situation at Ballarat of political unrest mostly due to the gold licensing fee resulted in the Eureka Riots in November and December 1854, and led to various inquiries and reform of the management of goldfields. The Resident Commissioner during this turbulent period was Robert Rede.

Only four Commissioners were appointed at Ballarat between 1851-1855. They were F. C. Doveton, J. M. Clow, Robert Rede and Charles Sherrard. The original spelling of Ballarat was Ballaarat.

Abolition

Recommendations for reform of the management of the goldfields by a Legislative Council Select Committee, and by the Goldfields Commission of Inquiry and a Royal Commission led in 1855 to local wardens replacing the Gold Commission.