APPLICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT IN THE VICTORIAN
GOVERNMENT IN THE 19TH CENTURY.
By
Helen D. Harris, OAM.
Part One A - L
Copyright
2007-8.
This web page lists basic details of people who wrote to
various Victorian government departments, in the 19th century,
seeking employment in the Victorian public service. I have already indexed, and published, a list
of all those who sought employment in the police department during this time,
compiled from police correspondence files, held at the Public Record Office. Those microfiche indexes are still available,
and can be purchased from Harriland Press by clicking on that
website. In addition there are some
applications to join the police department on both the Index to Missing People and
Index to Criminal & Other
Case Files web pages.
The list below is taken from other government
department records, found as I was researching another project. It is by no means a complete record of all
those who wrote seeking employment, merely those I have come across to
date. The list will be added to as time
permits.
Like all correspondence, the amount of detail in the
applications for employment varies considerably, from a simple formal
application of a few lines, to a detailed listing of the applicant’s previous
employment and personal history. Some
files consist of one or two pages only, while in others the file can run to
over 20 pages, as the applicant renews their application more than once.
As in my other web pages, I am happy to arrange
photocopying of a file, but my fee is $30 plus photocopying and postage
costs. Currently the PRO charges 65c per
page copying, and there is a delay of around two weeks. Anyone who would like to use the service is
asked to contact me on hdh1 at ozemail.com.au [replace the ‘at’ with @ and
remove the spaces].
a’BECKETT,
Malwyn,
ADAMSON, John
Alexander, Queenscliff, 1860, for Clerk of Petty Sessions, formerly working in
ADCOCK, Alex.
P.,
ADCOCK, G.C.,
ADDIS, Arthur Alexander, Collingwood, 1856, for
messenger at Parliament House. 3
pages. List 2.
ADDISON,
George, Melbourne, 1856, for employment as Reader in Legislative Council, or
clerkship; has been connected with the Herald
newspaper.
ADDISON,
George F., Melbourne, 1857. For Keeper of
Powder Magazine. 6 pages, List 3.
ADDISON,
Glentworth, Collingwood, 1854, for clerk’s position, father was an officer in 2nd
Dragoon Guards, encloses testimonials. 6 pages.
AFFOY, John, Ballarat,
1856, Chinese native, seeks appointment as interpreter.
AGAR, Alexander, Melbourne, 1856, joined
Ordnance Service in 1825, served for 12 yrs, both his father and son died in
action, is in a distressed state. 4
pages. List 2.
AGNEW, James
N.,
AITKEN, John, Broadford, 1857, for
Registrar for local electoral district. 4 pages, List 3.
AKEHURST, Mr. 1860, Introduced by P.M.
Geelong for office of Clerk of the County Court there. 3 pages.
AKEHURST,
A.P. Clerk of Petty Sessions Geelong, 1860,
for promotion, reference on file, 8 pages.
Further letter, 3 pages, List 24.
AKEHURST,
Arthur P. Acting C.P.S.
Geelong, 1856, applies for permanent appointment.
9 pages.
AKEHURST, W., Buninyong, 1853, applies for
position as surveyor, 2 pages, List 13.
ALDCORN, Andrew, Shoalhaven, 1857, two
letters re appointment of emigration agent, 12 pages. List 2.
ALDWELL, J.A., Melbourne, 1853. Solicits appointment in Post Office; series
of letters.
22 pages.
ALDWELL, J.A.,
ALLEN, John, Collingwood, 1851, for
Inspector of Denomination Schools, was Secretary at
ALLEN,
Samuel, Collingwood, 1856, for employment under Electoral Act, is deputy
registrar there, 2 pages, List 7.
ALLEN,
Thomas, Ballarat, 1857, formerly in British Army, imprisoned by Ballarat
rioters and his property destroyed, seeks employment, two letters. 8 pages, List 4.
ALLEY,
J.H.,
ALLISON,
Edward D., (M.D.), Ballarat, 1857, for medical officer to Chinese there. 4 pages, List 3.
AMOS,
Mark,
AMSINCK/ANISINCK
(?),
ANDREWS,
P.J.,
ANDREWS,
R.H., Sandhurst, 1861, for clerk, 2 pages, List 22
ANGUS,
James, Castlemaine, 1857, served in Royal Horse Artillery, then as convict
guard, gives background, for Keeper of Powder Magazine there. 9 pages, List 4.
ANKETELL,
John,
ANKETELL,
John,
ARCHER,
Henry G.,
ARDLIE, Robert, Collingwood, 1856, for
employment under Electoral Act, reference on file, 3 pages, List 4.
ARDLIE, Robert
William,
ARMITAGE, G.H., Prahran, 1862, for
employment. 3 pages, List 26.
ARMSTRONG, David,
ARMSTRONG, David, Melbourne, 1857, formerly
Inspector of Police and Commissioner of Gold Fields, applies for Inspector
General of Penal Establishment. 3 pages.
List 2.
ASSUE, William, Melbourne, 1857, Chinese,
naturalized, for interpreter at Castlemaine in place of deceased John
Ohey. 2 pages. List 2.
ASTON, William, Collingwood, 1856, for
employment under Electoral Act, 6 years residence in Melbourne, two
letters. 5 pages, List 7.
ATKIN, Walter, Chiltern, 1860, a solicitor,
has a wife and 7 children; for employment, List 20.
ATKIN, Walter, Chiltern, 1860,
for employment, was at
ATKINSON, Benjamin,
ATKINSON, Benjamin,
ATKINSON,
Charles James, Collingwood, 1856, for employment under Electoral
Act, 2 pages, List 7.
ATKINSON,
G., Collingwood, 1856, for employment under new Electoral Act, 1856.
ATKINSON, John
Prichard,
ATKINSON,
R.B.,
ATKINSON,
Thomas G. Collingwood,
1856, for re-employment, formerly in
ATKINSON,
Thomas G., Legislative
Assembly Chambers, 1857; for appointment as chief clerk in post office. 4 pages, List 3.
ATKINSON, Thomas Greenham, Collingwood, 1856, for a
position anywhere in government. 2
pages. List 2.
ATKINSON,
Thomas Greenlaw. Collingwood, 1855-56.
Employed for 8 yrs in GPO London, resigned June 1852, employed in G.P.O.
here, gives details of his resignation; seeks another position. 24 pages.
ATKINSON,
W., Ballan, 1854, of Atkinson & Pepper; medical advice is to give up
sheep farming, seeks CPS there. 3 pages.
AUSTEIN, Sigmund,
AUSTIN, George, letter in support from Hugh
Childers, was formerly in Sir Wm Denison’s household; wants employment in
Parliament House. 4 pages. List 2.
AUSTIN, George, Wiliamstown, 1856, for
employment under Electoral Act, formerly in public service, 3 pages, List 7.
AUSTIN, John
J., Beechworth, 1860, brother in law is Bishop of Glasgow W.S. Wilson, 3
pages, List 20.
[See top of page re arranging copies of entries.]
BACON,
John, Avoca, 1859, for Bailiff of County Court at
BACOT,
H.L., Collingwood, 1852, draftsman, gives his English experience, 2 pages, List 13
BAGGETT,
Mark,
BAILEY,
Charles,
BAKER,
George,
BALDWIN, David N. Northcote, 1857, formerly in Commissariat
Dept at Heathcote; note from Peter Lalor on file. 7 pages, List 4.
BALDWIN, Gardner Henry, Williamstown, 1856, for
employment under Electoral Act,
BALLENTINE, William John,
BALLINGALL, William. See SARGOOD, F.J.
BANKART,
E.H. See BAUKART, E.H.
BARBER,
George,
BARFOOT,
William, Collingwood, 1856, for employment under new Electoral Act.
BARLEE,
Charles H.,
Melbourne, 1856, brother is Colonial Secretary in
BARLEE, Charles H.,
BARLOW, John,
BARNETT, Adolphus R.,
BARNETT, Edward, Benalla, 1853, for position
as a surveyor, 2 pages, List 15.
BARNARDO, Augustus, Pentridge,1859, seeks
another govt position, 2 pages, List 8.
BARR, James, Oakleigh, 1860. No application, but reference from locals in
support, 2 pages, List 19.
BARRETT, John, Collingwood, 1856, for
employment under Electoral Act, formerly postmaster at Watergraphill
BARRETT, R.,
BARRY,
Edward Melbourne, 1857. Was chief clerk of the Resident Magistrates
Court at Auckland NZ for 8 yrs. 4
pages.
BARRY,
Edward, Ararat, 1860, for clerkship in law department, 4 pages, List 23.
BARRY,
Edward, Ararat, 1860, for promotion, reference on file, 7 pages, List 24.
BARRY, Robert,
BARRY, William H., Kyneton, 1857, encloses
letter from Mrs. Caroline CHISHOLM in support of his application. 5 pages. List 2.
BARTHOLD, J.P., Fitzroy, 1862, for re-employment,
references on file, 6 pages, List 26.
BARTON, Edwin,
BARTROP, George F., St. Kilda, Clerk of Petty
Sessions there, seeks appointment in Parliament House, gives employment
history. 3 pages. List 2.
BARTROP, George F.,
BATES,
William D.,
BAUKART,
E.H.,
BAYLY,
Richard Griffith, late of
BEAN, Cornelius,
BEASLEY, Charles,
BEATTY, George.
BEDFORD, Charles, Emerald Hill, 1856, for
employment under Electoral Act, references on file, 4 pages, List 7.
BEGGS, John Henry,
BELCHER, W.R.,
BELL, Robert, Ballarat, 1860, for
employment as police magistrate, can speak and read Chinese. 2 letters.
BELLAIRS, Eugene,
BELLIN, John, Collingwood, 1856, for
employment under Electoral Act, 3 pages, List 7.
BENNETT, George, Lucerne House, for
emigration agent. Has extensive business
experience in
BENNETT,
H.O.
BERNARD,
Frederick Robinson, Melbourne, 1857.
Formerly in police force, left to go into business but has been
unsuccessful; gives military history of family and seeks government
position. 10 pages, List 3.
BERRY,
Robert. See RING, Richard
BIBLE, Arthur, Melbourne, 1857, clerk in
revenue branch, seeks advancement, has been eleven years in public service. 5
pages. List 2.
BIERS, H.,
BIRCHALL, W.H. South Yarra 1860, formerly
in Treasury Dept. Retrenched, now seeks position in Attorney General’s
office. 5 pages.
BIRD, R.A.,
BLAKE, Charles, town crier of
BLAKSTON,
John,
BLUNTISH,
Archibald Kinn,
Melbourne, 1856, late Lieut. H.M. 9th Infantry, for clerk in Post
Office.
BODEN,
Albert V St Lutz, Digby, 1856, for re-appointment in police force.
BOGUE, James,
BOHUN, H.W.,
BOHUN, W.F.B.,
BONE,
Stanhope,
BONNER,
Edward, Melbourne, 1856, for employment as messenger at Parliament House.
BONSEY,
William Henry Geelong, 1857.
For Inspector General of Penal Establishments; is a Police Magistrate. 3 pages.
BOOBIER,
William J., Collingwood, 1856, for employment under Electoral Act, reference on
file, 3 pages, List 4.
BOOKER,
George, Melbourne, 1859; is an attorney, seeks clerical employment, 2 pages,
List 6.
BOURKE,
James. Dandenong, 1857. Engaged to
take an Iron Lock up to the country on behalf of government, was not paid promptly
and now in financial strife; seeks government employment, is 46yrs old. 3 pages.
BOWEN, L.P., Gisborne, 1859, for Clerk of
Petty Sessions, 3 pages, List 12.
BOYD, Robert, Melbourne, 1852, a surveyor,
seeks position, 4 pages, List 13
BOYD, William,
BOYLE, J. Barrister, Ararat, 1860, seeks position of
local revising Barrister of the Mining Byelaws there, 2 pages.
BOYLE, Roger,
BRACHE, J.,
BRADSHAW, Joseph,
BRADSHAW, Joseph E., Sandhurst, 1857; late Lieut
12th Royal Lancers, his cousin is Lt. Colonel Bradshaw, late of the
77th Regt. For keeper of the
Powder Magazine there. 3 pages. List 2.
BRADY, John,
BRADY,
William,
BRAGG, John,
BRANKER,
Francis, Beechworth,
1860, for Keeper of Powder Magazine, reference from residents on file, 6 pages,
List
23.
BREDIN,
Thompson,
1856, letter from a Mr. Foster gives his background, 3 pages, List 4.
BREEN, Thomas, Bacchus Marsh, 1856, for
employment under Electoral Act, formerly chief constable there, references on
file, 3 pages, List 4.
BRENNAN,
Patrick, Dunolly,
1859, for Court House Keeper, 2 pages, List 10.
BRENNAN,
Patrick, Dunolly, 1860, for cleaner’s position in Court House there, has a
family, 3 pages, List 21.
BRETON,
H. Warrnambool, 1856,
BRETON, H., Warrnambool, 1859, for
Coroner at Beechworth, 2 pages, List 18.
BRETT, J.H., Back Creek, 1859, for
Coroner; gives medical and family background, 4 pages, List 9.
BRICK,
Patrick,
BRIDGES,
F.A,
BRIDGES,
Frederick,
BRIERLY,
John, Melbourne, 1856, for employment under Electoral Act, formerly employed
in government, 2 pages, List 7.
BRISCOE,
Robert Villiers,
BRITTER,
Alfred,
BRODIE,
Henry,
BRODIE,
James C.,
BRODIE,
John Charles, Melbourne, 1857, old colonist, for employment. 4 pages, List 4.
BROMLEY,
Samuel,
BROOKS, John,
BROPHY, John Townsend, Buninyong, 1857, for
mining surveyor position there; petition in support on file. 5 pages, List 3.
BROPHY, Michael, Parliament House, Melbourne,
applicant for employment as messenger at Parliament House, requests return of
testimonials, which is done. 3 pages.
List 2.
BROWN, Joseph,
BRUCE, Alexander McCrae,
BRUCE, John A.,
BRYAN, William, Melbourne, 861, brother in
law of James Cowie MP, lost his money in mining venture, seeks employment, 3
pages, List 26.
BUCHAN, David,
BUCHAN, Laurence F.,
BUCHANAN, William P.,
BUCIRDE, William Henry, Collingwood, 1856, for employment
under Electoral Act, references on file, 4 pages, List 4.
BUCK, Charles, Plenty, 1856, for
employment under Electoral Act, 3 pages, List 7.
BUDD, J.,
BUDD, J.W. Seymour,
BUDD, R.H.,
BULL, George, (M.D.) Pleasant Creek, 1860,
application to be appointed Coroner there.
Petition in support from locals, and two letters casting doubt on his
suitability from chemist Alfred B. CLEMES.
14 pages, List 21
BULL, J., Resident Warden, Castlemaine, 1857,
applies for Inspector General of Penal Establishment. Spent nearly nine years in NSW convict
department, gives other background details.
12 pages. List 2.
BUNCE, Richard, Back Creek near
BUNNETT, Templeton,
BUNNETT, Templeton,
BURSHEM, F.H.,
BURGER, D.G.,
BURKE/Edmund/Edward, Clerk of Petty Sessions
Williamstown, 1859, for Police Magistrate’s position at Daylesford, reference
from local magistrates on file, 6 pages, List 6.
BURKE, Edward, Clerk of Petty Sessions
Williamstown, 1860, for Clerk of County Court,
nearly 7yrs there, is a solicitor of 15yrs standing, previously applied
for Daylesford, supporting letter from chairman of Municipality, Thomas
Stewart. 6 pages.
BURKITT,
Walter, Collingwood, 1856, for employment under new Electoral Act, as collector of electoral lists.
BURNE, W.P.,
BURNE, William Pitt, Williamstown, 1856, for
position in Parliament House, or any other position that may became vacant. 4
pages. List 2.
BURNS,
Robert,
BURRELL,
W.J., Bacchus Marsh, 1859, for position as Bailiff, 2 pages, List 9.
BURY,
F.J.,
BURY, F.J., Melbourne Club, 1857, for
appointment as colonial storekeeper; formerly in Gold Commission as
Commissioner at Creswick, resigned due to ill health, 2 letters. 7 pages. List 2.
BUSSELL, George, 1853, applies for position
as surveyor, 3 pages, List 13.
BUST, R., Prahran, 1857, for electoral work. 2 pages, List 4.
BYRNE,
Alexander.
BYRNE, James
P.,
BYRNE, Mathew,
BYRNE, Myles
P.,
BYRNE, Myles
P.,
BYRNE, Myles
P.,
[See
top of page re arranging copies of entries.]
CADMAN, Frederick Thomas,
CALIER/CALIN, John, Creswick, 1860, for Bailiff,
references on file, 5 pages, List 19.
CALLAN, Alexander, Melbourne, 1853, Scottish,
is a surveyor, 2 pages, List 15.
CALWELL, John,
CALVERT,
James, Dunolly,
1859, unsuccessful candidate for employment, alleges corruption in decision, 5
pages, List 6.
CAMPBELL,
CAMPBELL,
G.M.,
CAMPBELL, G.W. City police court, 1860,
applies for Mr. Cadden’s position in event of his promotion, Capt Standish can
supply reference, has known him for 8 yrs.
3 pages.
CAMPBELL, George,
CAMPBELL, James,
CAMPBELL, Norman,
CAMPBELL, Norman,
CAMPBELL,
Norman,
CAMPION, Henry, Collingwood, 1859, for
employment, is from
CANDIOTTIS, Spiridion, Kingower, 1860. Residents recommend him for Coroner, 4 pages
of signatures, derogatory comment by official, 6 pages, List 25. Writes from Redbank, 1860, for Coroner, 2
pages, List 25.
CANDIOTTIS, Spiridion, Redbank, 1861, for Coroner,
3 pages, List 22
CANNAM, Charles C., Prahran, 1856, for employment
under Electoral Act, references on file, 4 pages, List 7.
CARIG, Henry, Benalla, 1858, for Clerk
of Petty Sessions there, a former planter in the Isle of Grenada, 3 pages, List
5.
CARIG, Henry, Benalla, 1858, for Clerk
of Petty Sessions there, has a large family to support, 4 pages, List 5.
CARIGE, Henry, Benall, 1860, for Clerk of
Petty Sessions, 3 pages, List 19.
CARKEET, William, Heathcote, 1857, for
Coroner’s position. 2 pages. List 2.
CARLILE, John, Whitehaven, 1857. Letter to Earl of Carlisle, Lord Lieutenant
of
CARR, C.W., St. Kilda, 1855, late secretary gold
field commissions, for future employment.
Further letter 1856. 6 pages.
List 2.
CARROLL, E.,
CARROLL,
Thomas,