MySource:Kerbent/Mining Registrar's Registrar's Register of Claims, Sandhurst Mining Division, 08/04/1862 - 07/09/1865 1-1299

Bendigo Mining District (previously known as Sandhurst Mining District) Description

The Sandhurst Mining District was one of six mining districts established by the Governor-in-Council on 4 January 1858 under the provisions of An Act for Amending the Laws Relating to the Goldfields (21 Vic.,No.32).

The District was divided at that time into four divisions: Sandhurst, Heathcote, Waranga and Kilmore. The boundaries of each of these divisions and of the whole district are described in the Governor-in-Council's proclamation printed in the Government Gazette, 5 January 1858, pages 3-5.

The Sandhurst Mining District was abolished and the Bendigo Mining District established in its place on 10 October 1898 (see Government Gazette, 14 October 1898).

The number, boundaries and names of the divisions and subdivisions within the Bendigo District changed several times throughout the nineteenth and twentieth century. Annual reports of the Mines Department and reports of the Goldfields Commissioners show that by 1890 there were five divisions and subdivisions within the district and that the number fell to three by 1917, and two by 1934.

Over time the role of Mining Districts diminished as the administration of mining became more centralised. In 1975 the remaining functions of the Bendigo Mining District were transferred, along with those of all other districts, to the centralised control of the Mines Department.

Records attributed to the Bendigo Mining District include records created by district officials such as Registrars and Wardens. A Court of Mines also operated in each District. Although each District had only one Court of Mines, that court may have sat at several localities within the District at various times. Records of the Bendigo District Court of Mines have been determined to be court records rather than administrative records of the mining district. Accordingly they have been attributed to the local courts at which the Bendigo District Court of Mines sat.

VPRS 6946

Mining Registrar's Register of Claims, Sandhurst Mining Division

Background: Mining Districts

Between 1855 and 1975 the administration of mining in Victoria was partly carried out at a district level. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries district mining officials had extensive administrative and judicial responsibilities. Over time the role of district officials diminished as the function gradually became more centralised.

The boundaries of each Mining District were proclaimed by the Governor-in-Council. Each District was divided into several divisions which at times were further subdivided. It is important to note that the names and boundaries of the Districts, Divisions and Subdivisions changed over time as the scale of mining activity in various locations changed. Victorian Government Gazettes provide information about the boundaries of mining areas.

The first six Districts were established in 1858. They were: Ararat, Ballarat, Beechworth, Castlemaine, Maryborough and Sandhurst. In 1866 a seventh district - Gippsland - was proclaimed. These seven districts existed through to 1975, however, there were changes to their names (namely Sandhurst to Bendigo in 1898 and Ararat to Ararat and Stawell in 1899).

Administration of mining activity took place at both the District and Divisional level. The names of the Districts and Divisions do not necessarily indicate the location of the offices of the mining officials.

Mining Registrars

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 priveleges 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.

Mining Registrars Register of Claims

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.

Claims were entered in the Registers in chronological order as they were received. In many cases claims have been numbered, however, the numbering systems are not always clear. Various numbering sequences may be recorded and often the sequences have many gaps. Further research is required into this.

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 details of transfers or amalgamations of claims.

URL: www.prov.vic.gov.au

Page 21 Registered No. 93, 22nd August 1863 Bassett & Co., North Devonshhire Reef adjoining Eastwood & Co. South, North Devonshire, Quartz Claim alot 29yds John Bassett (Miners Right #60 dated 16/1/63) Transfered to William Vinton (Miners Right #95 dated 2/5/63) Transfer #527 dated 6/8/63 John Bassett (Miners Right #60 dated 16/1/63) Transfered to Jabez Robbins (Miners right #28 dated 27/4/63) Transfere #528 dated 6/5/63 John Bassett (Miners Right #60 dated 16/1/63) Transfered to George Hawke (Miners right#95 dated 3/10/63) Transfere #529 dated 5/10/63

Other names also associated with Bassett & Co Charles Botterill (Miners Right#29, Dated 22/8/1962) x2 William Henry French (miners Right#79, Dated 6/10/1862) John Nicholas (miners right #44, dated 8/5/1863) x2

Other notes in the register re Bassett & Co. Certificate returned Amalg. with claim 296 Re-reg as Ellenborough Co. #2634 claim 2/8/1870 Fo159 Book C Agreement filed 2/8/1870

Page 53 Registered No. 247, 16th June 1863 Hodgson & Co, Moon Reef Adjoining ?? North, quartz Claim 80yds John Bassett (Miners Right #60 dated 16/1/63) Transfered to Johnathon Hodgson (Miner's right 36 Dated 3/8/63) Transfere#1028 dated 23/3/64 Edward Heyworth (Miners Right #44 dated 13/4/63 ) Joseph Chapman (Miners Right #89 dated 16/6/63) Johnathon Hodgson (Miners Right #36 dated 3/8/63)

Page 123 Registered No. 621, 21 Nov 1863 Goldfinding Co., Specium Hill, Sailors Gully Adjoining Wainright South, Quartz Claim 80 yds John Bassett (Miners Right #60 dated 16/1/63) Transfered to Thomas Hunkin (Miner's Right 4207 dated 31/8/65) & William Brockenshire (Miner's Right 4208 dated 31/8/65) Transfere#6852 dated 31/8/65 28/5/64 John Johnson (Miners Right #83 dated 8/12/63) Hay Kirkwood (Miners Right #52 dated 17/10/63) Daniel Towse (Miners Right #77 dated 25/7/63) Transfered to Daniel Towse (Miners Right #4299 dated 9/9/65) transfere#6948 dated 121/9/65 & John Andrew (Miners Right #4285 dated 8/9/65) transfere#6949 dated 11/9/65) John Hodgson (Miners Right #36 dated 3/8/63) John Hodgson (Miners Right #36 dated 3/8/63) 6/6/64 Simon barrett (Miners Right #8 dated 30/5/64)

Page 123 Reg. No. 622, 21 Nov 1863 Bassetts Claim & Co, Specimen Hill Sailors Gully adjoining I J Caldwells Lease south & Walkers Lease North, Quartz Claim 53 yds John Bassett (Miners Right #60 dated 16/1/63) transfered to Murdoch 7 Hodgson & reg as peveril Co. 25 aug 1865 & 259

Page 163 Reg#824, 28/5/64 Goldfinding Co, Specimen Hill Sailors Gully bounded on the North by M. Lachlan & Co Claim, Quartz about 38yds John Hodgson (Miners Right #36 dated 3/8/63) John Hodgson (Miners Right #36 dated 3/8/63) John Johnson (Miners Right #83 dated 8/12/63) Hay Kirkwood (Miners Right #52 dated 17/10/63) Daniel Towse (Miners Right #77 dated 25/7/63) Transfered to Daniel Towse (Miners Right #4299 dated 9/9/65) transfere#6948 dated 121/9/65 & John Andrew (Miners Right #4285 dated 8/9/65) transfere#6949 dated 11/9/65) Simon barrett (Miners Right #8 dated 20/5/64) 25/8/65 John Bassett (Miners Right #13 dated 16/1/63) Transfered to Thomas Hunkin (Miner's Right 4207 dated 31/8/65) & William Brockenshire (Miner's Right 4208 dated 31/8/65) Transfere#6852 dated 31/8/65 28/5/64