South Australian Government
The Government Resident of the Northern Territory was appointed by the South Australian Government in 1864 as a result of the passing of the Northern Territory Act 1863. The Government Resident was responsible for the administration of the Northern Territory while it was under South Australian control.
The Government Resident initially reported to the Chief Secretary of the South Australian Government and then to a succession of responsible Ministers.
The first Government Resident was Mr Boyle Travers Finniss. His specific powers were defined by the commissions he was allocated. During 1864-1865 he was responsible for land surveys and for finding a suitable site for the Territory's principal town, to be known as Palmerston.
The Office of the Government Resident was abolished in 1911 when responsibility for the Northern Territory was transferred to the Commonwealth.
1864 - 1911 Government Resident of the Northern Territory
1911 - 1927 Office of the Administrator, Northern Territory [I]
1927 - 1931 Office of the Government Resident, North Australia
1927 - 1931 Office of the Government Resident, Central Australia
1931 - 1978 Office of the Administrator, Northern Territory [II]
1931 - 1978 Office of the Administrator, Northern Territory [II]
1978 - Office of the Administrator, Northern Territory [II]
Sources used to compile this entry: State Records of South Australia, 'Agency details: GA17 Office of the Minister for the Northern Territory', in State Records of South Australia, ArchivesSearch, 2012, https://archives.sa.gov.au/; State Records of South Australia, 'Agency details: GA27 Government Resident's Office', in State Records of South Australia, ArchivesSearch, 2012, https://archives.sa.gov.au/.
Prepared by: Karen George and Gary George
Created: 27 June 2011, Last modified: 24 September 2013