Chief Clerks c. 1689-1856

Chief Clerks c. 1689-1856

This grade dates from at least 1685. The identity of the Chief Clerks cannot be ascertained until 1689 when they were five in number. In about 1697 they were reduced to four. (fn. 1) Until 1805 the Chief Clerks ranked after the Joint Secretaries and in addition to their own particular responsibilities acted in a general advisory capacity to the Board. (fn. 2) In 1805 they were displaced from their position as the senior members of the permanent staff by the Assistant Secretary. At the same time they were given specific responsibilities for the divisions of business, one being assigned to each of the first two divisions, one to the third and fourth and one to the fifth and sixth. (fn. 3) In 1834 the number of Chief Clerks was raised to five, one to preside over each of the reorganised divisions. At the same time they were placed in rank after the Principal Clerk for Colonial Business. (fn. 4) When in 1849 the number of divisions was reduced to three there was a corresponding reduction in the number of Chief Clerks. (fn. 5) There was a further reduction to two in 1854 when provision was made for a Principal Clerk to preside over the Finance Division. (fn. 6) The grade was abolished in 1856. (fn. 7)

Until 1782 the Chief Clerks received their remuneration in the form of equal shares in a third part of the office fees. In that year they were accorded fixed salaries of £800. (fn. 8) This sum was raised to £1080 in 1798 and in 1801 a progressive scale was introduced rising after fifteen years to £1200 and after twenty years to £1400. (fn. 9) In 1821 a fixed salary of £1200 was established for succeeding holders of the offices. This was reduced to £1000 in 1834. (fn. 10)

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