GOLD COMMISSIONER

'Gold Commissioner' as the name of an important regional administrative post in the Colony of British Columbia. The position's primary role was as a receiver-cashier for gold, which was held until the Gold Escort could deliver it to the capital. But a Gold Commissioner's powers and duties encompassed the duties of Government Agent, Indian Agent, magistrate, Mines Commissioner, surveyor, sheriff, coroner and other duties. The powers of a Gold Commissioner within his designated jurisdiction were second only to the Governor. The position remained as a fixture in the new province when the colony joined Canada in 1871 although by the end of the Great War nearly all Gold Commissioner positions had been devolved to separate offices, with the bulk of the office's power and legacy inherite by the title of Government Agent, who typically was also Indian Agent as well as Mines Commissioner, which was a post associated with each of the mining districts.