Colonial Secretary's Office papers, 1852-1854

MLMSS 9466

fonds

1852-1854

1108421

0.01 metres of textual material (1 folder)

New South Wales had no regular postal service before 1809. On 26 June 1810 Governor Macquarie issued an order designating the home of Isaac Nicholls as the colony's first regular post office. From October 1835 to Dec 1858 the colonial postal service came under the Colonial Secretary's Office and with Federation in 1901 the Commonwealth Government took the responsibility for postal matters from the colonies.

The gold rush stimulated the growth of the post offices, as population increased so too did the demand for postal services. Gold and banknotes were often sent by post, making postal services that much more important and the need arose for increased security.


References:
National Archives of Australia. http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/fact-sheets/fs50.aspx (accessed 6 March, 2014)
Linking a Nation: Australia's Transport and Communications 1788 - 1970. http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/linking-nation-australias-transport-and-communications-1788-1970-7 (accessed 6 March, 2014)

Letters relating to the transportation of mail and gold from the goldfields of Sofala, Bathurst, and Mudgee to Sydney and the need for an armed guard to accompany mail delivered on horseback.

1. To the Colonial Secretary from the inhabitants of Mudgee 'praying for the appointment of an armed guard to accompany the mail', 15 August 1852

2. From Post Office Hartley, 17 August 1852. Reporting the robbery of the Bathurst mail, including a statement from Rowland Hassell

3. To the Postmaster General, Sydney from Henry Rotton (mail contractor), 17 August 1852. Reporting the robbery of Bathurst mail containing
28 lbs of gold.

4. To the Postmaster General from Post Office Hartley, 17 August 1852. A statement from William Banks, in the employment of Mr Henry Rotton, mail contractor. Has an annotation dated 19 August, advising that a copy of the letter should be immediately transmitted to the Inspector General of Police. Also a copy to the Colonial Secretary begging that a notice be inserted in the Government Gazette offering a reward for the discovery of the robbers. Letter has seal intact.

5. To the Postmaster, Sydney from W. Thompson, Post Office Bathurst, 21 August 1852. Providing further particulars respecting mail robbed 17th instant.

6. From Inspector General of Police, 21 August 1852. Stating that he had given directions for a trooper to accompany the mail when conveyed on horseback.

7. To the Postmaster General from Edward Capps, Post Office, Sofala, 23 August 1852. Regarding recent robberies and the necessity for a trooper to escort the mail that is delivered on horseback.

8. 3 notes to Mr Raymond regarding inability to provide a mounted trooper to accompany the mail when sent on horseback between Tamworth and Murrurundi dated 27 August , 22 and 23 September.

9. To the Postmaster General from the Inspector General of Police, 27 August 1852. Regarding appointment of mounted escorts accompanying the mail, from Sofala to Sydney, Tamworth to Maitland and Braidwood to Sydney.

10. To the Postmaster General from J. Gill (mail contractor) Tamworth, 30 September 1852. Regarding mounted escort with mail delivered by horseback.

11. To the Inspector General of Police from the Postmaster General, 24 October. Regarding instruction to Postmasters to apply to the Commissioner of the respective gold district when gold is to be transported by mail who will then dispatch a constable or one of the Gold Police to escort the mail delivery.

12. To the Postmaster General from the Colonial Secretary's Office, 9 August 1854. Accompanying letter 'transmitting' a petition from Henry Bayly (sic.) Esq. and the people of Mudgee praying that an armed guard may be appointed to travel with the mail to and from Hartley in order to secure its safe transmission.

13. To the Postmaster General from the Colonial Secretary's Office, 31 August 1854. Copy of the reply to Mudgee residents praying that an armed guard be appointed to travel with the mail.

14. To Henry Bayley (sic) Esq., Mudgee from the Colonial Secretary's Office, 31 August 1854. Enclosure in letter to Postmaster General of the 31 August 1854 acknowledging receipt of petition.