The Gold Fields Law Amendment Act went through a long process before it became law; the legislative process can be seen in extracts from the Votes and Proceedings of the Legislative Council (Victoria, 1855). This law, known as the Gold Fields Law Amendment Act, was passed by the Legislative Council in the Colony of Victoria in 1855. It brought into being the Miner’s Right and associated rules and regulations. The full text of the Act is available on this site.
The following items are extracts from the Votes and Proceedings of the Legislative Council (Victoria, 1855), with dates and page numbers listed. Readings of the Bill were postponed on a number of occasions (which also happened to other legislation), but it was finally passed on 22 May 1855, with the Royal Assent being given in June 1855.
29 March 1855 (p. 337):
Messages from His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor. — The following Messages from His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor received and read:—
… Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill.
Chas. Hotham, Lieutenant Governor. Message No. 54.
In pursuance of the provisions of the statute 5 and 6 Victoria, cap. 76, the Lieutenant Governor transmits to the Legislative Council for its consideration the draft of
“A Bill to consolidate and amend the Laws relating to the Gold Fields.”
Government Offices,
Melbourne, 29th March, 1855.
Ordered to be printed, and, together with the accompanying Bill, taken into consideration Friday, 30 March, 1855.
re 30 March, 1855 (p. 340):
Orders of the Day:—
… 8. Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill. — Consideration of His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor’s Message No. 54.
30 March, 1855 (p. 343):
13. Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill. — The Order of the Day for the consideration of His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor’s Message No. 54, having been read — On the motion of the Acting Solicitor General the Message was read by the Clerk.
The Acting Solicitor General then moved that the Bill accompanying such Message, intituled, “A Bill to consolidate and amend the Laws relating to the Gold Fields,” be now read a first time.
Question put — and passed Bill read a first time — Ordered to be printed, and read a second time, Wednesday 11th April next.
re 11 April 1855 (p. 344; also 346, 350):
Orders of the Day:—
1. Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill — Second Reading.
11 April 1855 (p. 353):
Postponement of Orders of the Day.—
… “Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill — Second Reading;,”
… until Friday, 13th April instant.
re 13 April 1855 (p. 355; also 358):
Orders of the Day:—
… 3. Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill — Second Reading.
13 April 1855 (p. 362):
Postponement of Orders of the Day.—
… “Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill — Second Reading;”
… until Tuesday, 17th April instant.
re 17 April 1855 (p. 363):
Orders of the Day:—
… 5. Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill — Second Reading.
17 April 1855 (p. 366):
Postponement of Orders of the Day.—
… “Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill — Second Reading;”
… until Friday, 20th April instant.
re 20 April 1855 (p. 368; also 371, 375):
Orders of the Day:—
… 3. Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill — Second Reading.
20 April 1855 (p. 377):
Postponement of Orders of the Day.—
… “Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill — Second Reading;”
… until Friday, 27th April instant.
re 27 April 1855 (p. 379; also 383, 387, 391):
Orders of the Day:—
… 2. Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill — Second Reading.
27 April 1855 (p. 394):
Postponement of Orders of the Day.— The Council ordered that consideration of the following Orders of the Day be postponed until Thursday, 3rd May next:—
… “Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill — Second Reading.”
re 3 May 1855 (p. 396; also 398, 407):
Orders of the Day:—
… 2. Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill — Second Reading.
3 May 1855 (p. 409):
Postponement of Orders of the Day.— The Council ordered that the consideration of the following Orders of the Day be postponed until to-morrow:—
… “Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill — Second Reading.”
re 4 May 1855 (p. 410):
Orders of the Day:—
… 5. Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill — Second Reading.
4 May 1855 (p. 414):
Postponement of Orders of the Day.—
… “Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill — Second Reading;”
… until Wednesday, 9th May instant.
re 9 May 1855 (p. 415; also 419):
Orders of the Day:—
… 2. Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill — Second Reading.
9 May 1855 (p. 421):
4. Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill. — The Colonial Secretary moved that this Bill be now read a second time.
Debate ensued.
Question — put and passed. — Bill read a second time.
On the motion of the Colonial Secretary, the Speaker left the Chair, and the Council resolved itself into a Committee of the whole for the consideration of this Bill.
The Chairman reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again to-morrow.”
re 10 May 1855 (p. 422):
2. Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill — To be further considered in Committee.
10 May 1855 (p. 425):
3. Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill. — The Order of the Day for the further consideration of this Bill in Committee of the whole Council having been read — The Speaker left the Chair, and the Council resolved itself into a Committee of the whole for the consideration thereof.
The Chairman reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again to-morrow — To take precedence next after the third reading of “The Appropriation Bill.”
re 11 May 1855 (p. 426):
Orders of the Day:—
… 2. Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill — To be further considered in Committee.
11 May 1855 (p. 429):
6. Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill — The Order of the Day for the further consideration of this Bill in Committee of the whole Council having been read — The Speaker left the Chair, and the Council resolved itself into a Committee of the whole for the further consideration thereof.
The Chairman reported the Bill with amendments.
On the motion of the Colonial Secretary, the Speaker left the Chair, and the Council resolved itself into a Committee of the whole for the re-consideration of this Bill.
The Chairman having reported the Bill with further amendments, the Council the same to be taken into consideration Tuesday, 15th May instant. — Bill as amended to be printed.
re 15 May 1855 (p. 430):
Orders of the Day:—
… 2. Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill — Adoption of Report.
15 May 1855 (p. 431):
7. Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill. — The Order of the Day for the consideration of the Report from the Committee of the whole Council upon this Bill having been read — On the motion of the Attorney General, the Speaker left the Chair, and the Council resolved itself into a Committee of the whole for the re-consideration of this Bill.
The Chairman reported the Bill with amendments.
On the motion of the Attorney General, the Speaker left the Chair, and the Council resolved itself into a Committee of the whole for the further re-consideration of this Bill.
The Chairman having reported the Bill with a further amendment, the Council adopted the same, and ordered the Bill to be read a third time on Thursday, 17th May instant.
re 17 May 1855 (p. 433; also 436):
Order of the Day:—
1. Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill — Third reading.
17 May 1855 (p. 439):
5. Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill. — The Order of the Day for the third reading of this Bill having been read — On the motion of the Attorney General, the Speaker left the Chair, and the Council resolved itself into a Committee of the whole for the re-consideration of this Bill.
The Chairman having reported the Bill with further amendments, the Council adopted the same, and ordered the Bill to be read a third time to-morrow.
re 18 May 1855 (p. 439):
Orders of the Day:—
… 5. Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill — Third reading.
18 May 1855 (p. 444):
9. Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill. — The Order of the Day for the third reading of this Bill having been read — On the motion of the Colonial Secretary, the Speaker left the Chair, and the Council resolved itself into a Committee of the whole for the re-consideration of this Bill.
The Chairman having reported the Bill with further amendments, the Council ordered the same to be taken into consideration Tuesday, 22nd May instant.
re 22 May 1855 (p. 445):
Orders of the Day:—
… 6. Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill — Adoption of Report
22 May 1855 (p. 448):
9. Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill — The Council adopted the Report from the Committee of the whole upon this Bill.
The Speaker having reported that the Chairman of Committees had certified that the fair print of this Bill was in accordance with the Bill as reported — Bill, on the motion of the Attorney General, read a third time and passed.
The Attorney General then moved that the following be the title of the Bill:—
“An Act to amend the Laws relating to the Gold Fields.”
12 June 1855 (p. 481):
Assent to Bills. — The Speaker announced to the Council that His Excellency the Governor had been pleased to give the Royal Assent to the following Bills:—
“Gold Fields Law Amendment Bill;”
“Scab Bill;”
“Geelong and Melbourne Railway Act Amendment Bill;”
“Bank of New South Wales Acts Amendment Bill;”
“Immigrants Bill;”
“Public Works Money Bill;”
“Friendly Societies Law Amendment Bill.”
Source:
Votes and Proceedings of the Legislative Council, During the Session 1854-5 (vol. I), Melbourne: John Ferres, Government Printer, 1855
Editor’s notes:
Chas. = an abbreviation of the name “Charles”
intituled = (archaic) entitled (having given a title); past tense of “intitule” (entitle): to give a title to something or someone (especially to give a title to a legislative Act)
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