The Chinese Protector's Office in Beechworth was responsible for the collection of Miners' rights and business licenses and for enforcing the rules of the protectorate.
As the Chinese population in Beechworth grew rapidly from around 60 in 1855 to well over 4000 by April 1857 it soon accounted for well over a quarter of the entire Beechworth population. The Beechworth Chinese Protector was appointed to administer the local Chinese community.