Levying and collection of police rates

Unique IDAY-0076Description*** This activity applies to the City of Sydney only ***

Collection of a "Police Rate" to be paid out for police purposes.

Council was responsible for estimating the amount required for police salaries and allowances, and for collecting the rate, but had no authority over the employment of the police.

In a letter to W A Milles, the Commissioner of Police on 5 March 1843, the Colonial Secretary set out his powers and responsibilities. These included:

"In the execution of your duties, you will take orders only from the government; the distribution of the Police Force will rest with you under such orders as you may receive from the Government, although the numerical strength of the Police and the amount of their pay and allowances are matters which under the Corporation Act are to be regulated by the Mayor and Council of the City"; " though as Commissioner of Police you will not take any orders from any authority save that of the Government you will necessarily be in frequent communication with the Mayor and also with the Chairman of the Police Committee of the City Council, and in all such communications it will be expected of you that you act frankly and cordially"; "half the expenses of the Police of Sydney to be borne by the Government and half by the Corporation". Council was not responsible financially for police officers exercising their duties outside the boundaries of the City. (CRS 25/1).

Under the 70th section of the Sydney Corporation Act, Council was authorised and required to estimate the amount required for payment of salaries and allowances "to such number of constables as may, in their opinion, be required, and all other expenses attending Police purposes within the City of Sydney; and to raise a Police-rate on the citizens for that purpose. (CRS 30/001).

To this end, on 25 November 1842, Council’s Police Committee presented very detailed reports on the “present state of the Police of the City of Sydney”. This included an analysis of police numbers, distribution, outstations, constables employed as firemen, Police magistrates, fines and fees, clerks, expenditure, and estimates for 1843.

On 29 July 1844, Council petitioned the Legislative Council to give the City of Sydney the same powers of Police administration and control as exercised by the Borough Corporations of England. Although Council was responsible for deciding the Police budget, "the management of the Police, so far as relative to their appointment, dismissal, and general regulation, is retained by the Colonial Government". (CRS 30/001).

On 5 December 1846 the Colonial Secretary wrote to Council adivising that from 1 January 1847 that part of the Act relating to the estimating and levying of a Police rate was suspended for one year (CRS 25/2).
CreationSydney Corporation Act 1842, s70.
Council empowered to levy a police rate.AbolitionPolice Rate Acts 1846.
Suspension of s70, Sydney Corporation Act 1842, to take effect from 1 January 1847.

Series

Printed Materials

Letters Sent

Letters Received [Municipal Council of Sydney]

Letters Received from the Colonial Secretary

Committee Reports (Various committees)

Rate Books [Municipal Council of Sydney]

Minutes of Council [Municipal Council of Sydney / City of Sydney]

Description

Start date1st November 1842End date31st December 1846End date qualifierbyRelationship legacy dataRELATED TO: Rating powers FN-0005 (01/11/1842 to 31/12/1846)

Identification

Source system ID76

Relationships

FunctionRating powers

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Levying and collection of police rates