Register of Crown Grants

Full description

This series was created by the Deeds Branch of the Department of Crown Lands and Survey (VA 538) and the Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands (VA 1034).

This series documents the details of Crown Grants issued between 1859 and 1988. Initially it related to Crown Grants issued as a result of the sale of Crown land by public auction, as well as under pre-emptive rights, selections and for special purposes.

It appears that the passing of the Land Act 1869 which set a statutory limit on the quantity of land to be sold by auction and at the same time further developed a system of conditional licences and leases leading to a freehold title, led to the creation of a separate set of registers for Crown Grants issued to licensees and lessees (see VPRS 11864 Register of Crown Grants). From then on, only Crown Grants issued as a result of sales by auction were registered in this series. This practice continued until 1988 when the department began to record the issue of Crown Grants for lands sold by auction in the register previously used for grants obtained under licence or lease (see VPRS 11864 Register of Crown Grants).

Data in these registers was recorded once the sale by auction had been finalised. When proof of payment of the balance of the purchase money was received, the Deed of Grant was prepared and circulated within the department for action. The details of grants were noted on plans, the deed was sent for registration in the Titles Office and then forwarded to the Grantee. Each action was recorded in the register.

These registers provide the following details:

Date and Place of Sale
Purchasers/Grantees Name
Particulars of purchased land - Town/Parish; Allotment and Section and area
No. of Report of payment of fees
Date of Deed of Grant
When and where forwarded to

This series is arranged numerically by sequential volume number. Entries in the registers were made in chronological order by the date of sale by auction. Each volume has an index by place of sale at the front and an index of grantees at the back, with the exception of volume No.34 which has a separate name index (marked as volume No.35).

This series is arranged in chronological order. Until circa 1870 there were separate registers for sales by auction and lease.