VPRS 1021 Register Of Applications For Mining Claims

Full description

The Gold Fields Laws Amendment Act 1860 (24 Vic.,No.115) empowered the Governor-in-Council to appoint Mining Registrars in the mining districts to carry out duties prescribed in the mining by-laws for their district. Mining Registrars were primarily concerned with claims or privileges held under miners rights. Responsibilities included the registration and transfer of various types of claims specified in the mining by-laws. Mining Registrars were also responsible for preparing reports and statistics showing the progress of mining within their district.

Under the mining by-laws the holder of a miners right was entitled to take up various claims. Each type of claim specified the nature of the mining activity which could be undertaken. The types of claims included:
prospecting claims (along a reef)
alluvial claims (for shallow sinking)
tunnelling claim
sluicing and puddling claims
water right or water race claim
site for machinery
site for a dam
site for residence (to 1936).

Registers of Claims may be specific to a particular type of claim (eg. Register of Water Races, Register of Residence Areas) or may include a mixture of claims. In circumstances where claims were taken up by partnerships, the Register of Claims will usually include a record of the agreed percentage of shares of each of the partners.

A Register of Claims will often include: number and date of claim; name of holder or owner; number of Miners Right and date of Miners Right; particulars of the claim; locality; and details of transfers or amalgamations of claims.