Category Archives: VDL Statutes
Financing Van Diemen’s Land
Following the American War of Independence in 1783, the UK government could no longer send convicts to America. It was now faced with the problem of finding another overseas destination for the ever-increasing numbers of prisoners in its overcrowded gaols … Continue reading
Posted in Tasmanian legislation, VDL Statutes
Leave a comment
Address of Sir John Franklin to Legislative Council 1837
On Friday 14th July 1837, the Hobart Town Courier reported on the first meeting of the Legislative Council that had taken place in Hobart four days earlier. At 1 o’clock the Lieutenant Governor, Sir John Franklin, took the Chair and … Continue reading
Posted in Governors, Tasmanian legislation, Van Diemen's Land, VDL Statutes
Tagged john Franklin, Legislative Council
Leave a comment
Changing the Guard
When Sir John Franklin arrived in Van Diemen’s Land to take up the position of Lieutenant Governor in January 1837, the shadow of twelve year’s autocratic rule by Sir George Arthur loomed ominously over the future administration of the Island. … Continue reading
Posted in Governors, Tasmanian legislation, VDL Statutes
Tagged George Arthur, john Franklin
Leave a comment
May 1824 – December 1825
Prior to Arthur being appointed as Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen’s Land in 1823, he had been Superintendent and Commandant in British Honduras for around eight years. Throughout his time in Honduras the territory was under the vice-regency of the … Continue reading
June-October 1837
From 1826 to 1948 regnal years were used as part of the numbering system for Van Diemen’s Land/Tasmanian Statutes. A regnal year is a year of the reign of an English sovereign, with the first day of the first year … Continue reading
Statutes for the years 1832-1836
In 1832 Lieutenant Governor Arthur was finally able to begin sorting out problems relating to land grants in the Colony. Alfred Stephen had first questioned the validity of land titles in 1828 pointing out that all grants in New South … Continue reading
Posted in Tasmanian legislation, VDL Statutes
Tagged Land grants, Postal service, Public works
Leave a comment
Statutes for the years 1826-1831
From 1803 to 1825 Van Diemen’s Land was a dependency of the Colony of New South Wales. A succession of Lieutenant Governors and Commandants used General and Garrison Orders to maintain law and order at a local level. Local Justices … Continue reading
The Journey
Loose connections is a leisurely ramble through the vellum and parchment pages of Tasmanian legislation, along with case law. It is always open to wandering off into the tangled undergrowth of all things Tasmanian. There is an eventual destination: overseeing … Continue reading
Posted in Tasmanian legislation, VDL Statutes
Tagged Archiving, Handwritten documents, Vellum
Leave a comment
Loose Connections 