Bergmeister

A Bergmeister (Latin Magister montium ) was an agent working on a mountain court official next to the mountain Vogt. Bergmeister there were in each mining area of Germany. In Austria, the Bergmeister was also known as Colonel Bergmeister.

Tasks and functions

The Bergmeister was a member of the Bureau of Mines, partly also worked as director of the Bureau of Mines. Often subordinate to the Bergmeister several areas. In Prussia, the Bergmeister was a civil servant who was appointed at the Board of Mines. There he was then directly to their respective Mountain Director of the Bureau of Mines. The Bergmeister held the position of the first district officials in Prussia. The task of the mountain master was to manage the mines in its territory. Furthermore, in his area of ​​responsibility fell concessions, taxes and dismantling supervision. The Bergmeister had a duty to ensure compliance with the mining order. And also provided for an orderly mining. He counted thus to the practical operating mining officials, but still had a high rank. The Bergmeister had a significant influence, as he was authorized to make final arrangements. He also participated in the appointment of district officials.

Officiate

One of his main tasks was to control the Bazaars. Had a miner muted a mine, so he was awarded the Bergmeister at the request of the mining law. For this, the Bergmeister drove on the new mine and measured it mine survey driven. The Muter had to swear a solemn oath that he had muted the first reference. The adjoining the mine length fields gave the Bergmeister in the same way.

The Bergmeister exercised judicial functions also. Could a prosecutor to prove by witnesses that a trades had done on three successive layers no Hauer, the Bergmeister eluded these trades mining law and gave it to the prosecutor. Even with safety hidden defects of the Bergmeister was entitled the mines shut down, or if after a certain time the deficiencies are not corrected, he could give the Berechtsame to the plaintiff. This function as Bergrichter removed pursuant to the mountain Ferdinand's order in 1783 and ordered mountain own meals instead of the mountain judge.