AGY-1117 | Court of Appeal under the Crown Lands Act of 1884

Full description

The Crown Lands Act of 1884 established Local Land Boards for every Land District or for several Land Districts which "shall have the power to hear and determine all complaints and other matters brought before it and shall conduct all enquiries sitting as an open Court and shall take evidence on oath and its procedures while so sitting shall be the same as the procedure before a Court of Petty Sessions". The Act further provided that any person aggrieved by a decision of a Local Land Board could appeal to the Minister for Lands, who was to adjudicate as in open court. The Minister had "the power to hear and determine all appeals" and to make orders relating to costs. His decisions in any appeal case concerning conditional purchases of leaseholds were "final and conclusive". The Minister was able to state cases - upon questions of law - for the decision of the Supreme Court. If the introduction of further evidence was warranted then the Minister could return the matter to the local land board. Any questions of "lapse voidance or forfeiture" arising under the Crown Lands Act and its repealed Acts could also be referred by the Minister to a Local Land Board. The first Appeal Court under the Act was held on 2 November 1885. The 1889 amendment Act replaced the Minister for Lands acting as in open court with a formal court (the Land Court), which commenced on 1 December 1889.