Cover image for Post and Telegraph Department
Agency:
Post and Telegraph Department
Agency Number:
TA686
Start Date:
16 Oct 1813
End Date:
14 Feb 1901
Description:
Provide postal, telegraphic and telephone services. The first postal agent for Hobart was appointed by the Postmaster in Sydney on 16 Oct 1813 (Sydney Gazette of that date). When New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land were separated in 1825 consideration was given to local arrangements and a committee of inquiry resulted in legislation for establishment of Post Offices in 1828. The resulting Post Office Department was associated with provision of telegraphic services from their inception in 1857. Following the introduction of telephones in 1882 the Post Office and Electric Telegraph Departments merged in 1894 as the Post and Telegraph Department. On 14 February 1901 post, telegraph and telephone services came under the control of the Commonwealth Government.
Legislation Administered:
Post Office Act 1828 (9 Geo. IV No.6 as amended by 4 Will. IV No.14 and 5 Vict. No.15) (Repealed 1853). Post Office Act 1853 (17 Vict. No. 6 as amended by 19 Vict. Nos. 4 and 20, 21 Vict. No. 38, 22 Vict No. 28, 26 Vict. Nos 1 and 15, 28 Vict. No. 9 and 31 Vict No. 28). (Repealed 1870). Post Office Act 1869 (33 Vict. No. 5 as amended by 34 Vict. No. 4 and 40 Vict. No. 5) (Repealed 1881). Post Office Act 1881 (45 Vict No. 13). Post Office Savings Banks Act 1865 (29 Vict. No. 31) (Repealed 1881). Telephone Act 1882 (46 Vict. No. 5). Electic Telegraphs Act 1857 (20 Vict No.22)
Legislation Creating:
Various administrative and legislative Acts.
Functions Performed:
Communications
Controlling Agencies:
Governor's Office (TA315)01 Jan 1825
Series Created By Agency:
PMG7 Duplicate Receipts for Postal Articles collected from Post Offices.26 Jun 183231 Dec 1863

PMG2 Letters from the Colonial Secretary.12 Jun 183530 Nov 1838

PMG1 General Correspondence and associated Papers.01 Jan 184331 Dec 1877

AF908 Brown's River Post Office Registers13 Jun 184616 Dec 1879

PMG6 Original Receipts of Letters Supposed to Contain Money collected from Gpo.10 Oct 186018 Oct 1860

PMG5 Memoranda Informing Addresses of registered Postal Articles Being at Gpo with Endorsement by Addresses for These Articles collected by Agents.01 Apr 187031 Mar 1878

PMG4 Monthly Statements of Money Orders issued on Various Post Offices, Unpaid.31 Oct 187131 Oct 1871

AG397 Brighton Post Office Letter Book03 Dec 187221 Apr 1873

PMG3 Inventories of Mail Forwarded from Hobart to Launceston.01 Jan 187831 Mar 1878

PMG8 Post Office Orders issued and paid Longford Post Office.01 Jan 188007 Feb 1889

AG674 Green Ponds Post Office Money Order Receipt Book01 Aug 188731 Aug 1888

AE795 Register of Inter-Tasmanian Telegrams received & Transmitted Through the Nubeena Telegraph Station06 Mar 189325 Jul 1896

AG398 Kellevie Post Office Telegraph Book02 Jan 189731 Mar 1905