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Catalogue description Sessional papers from the colonies
| Reference: | Division within CO |
|---|---|
| Title: | Sessional papers from the colonies |
| Description: |
Contains sessional papers from colonial governments relating to legislative and administrative business undertaken within colonies in question. Sessional papers produced by colonial governments tend to be of three types: records of the Legislative Council, the Executive Council and the administration reports of the local government departments. The records of the Legislative Council are bound volumes of agenda and minutes of meetings. They give dates of council meetings, the names of members present and statements of resolutions taken. They also include transcripts of addresses, the names of those elected to the council, oaths of allegiance by officials, enactments and movements for the reading of bills, estimates for scrutiny and approval, petitions received and draft ordinances. The records of the Executive Council give similar details, but also contain transcripts of letters received and details of subsequent actions. They also record proclamations, drafts of proposed ordinances and approval of various estimates and contracts. The administration reports provide detailed descriptive and statistical information on almost every aspect of colonial rule. This information refers to regional and central matters. Among the subjects covered are: the economy and public revenue; the judiciary and police; communications; population; public works; public health; agriculture and meteorological observations. The reports include many statistical tables, graphs, plans and maps.
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| Date: | 1660-1966 |
| Arrangement: |
Many of the volumes contain contents lists. |
| Related material: |
For later sessional papers see Records created or inherited by the Dominions Office, and of the Commonwealth Relations and Foreign and Commonwealth Offices, Division within DO |
| Legal status: | Public Record(s) |
| Language: | English |
| Physical description: | 103 series |
| Administrative / biographical background: |
Sessional papers were produced by most colonial governments. Under colonial regulations instituted in 1837, the proceedings of the houses of assembly and legislative councils, with copies of acts passed and lists of members, were sent twice a year to the Colonial Office in London. The regulations clarified procedure, but some sessional papers had been produced before this date. |
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