VPRS 14452 Settlers Accounts, Eastern Division

Full description

This series consists of the single volume of the Settlers Accounts, Eastern Division in custody (as at June 2004). Other series of the same types of accounts are VPRS 755/P Settlers Accounts, Melbourne and VPRS 756/P Settlers Accounts, Mallee Division.

Section 30 of the Closer Settlement Act 1932 provided that the whole of a settler's liability to the newly established Closer Settlement Commission should be consolidated into one debt instead of the separate ones for the land and for advances and for arrears of interest. For the five years from 30 June 1932 the settler was required to pay an instalment amounting to a maximum of six and a half per cent per annum of the amount of the consolidated debt. The settler could appeal to the Commission for a reduction of this instalment on a number of grounds including the exigencies of the season and prices and the needs of the lessee and his family. Land and improvements were to be then re-valued on 30 June 1937 with the consequent writing off of any deficiency in the valuation, as compared with the liabilities. The settler was to be provided with a statement by the Commission as each half-yearly instalment became due. This would show all transactions during the preceding half-year and the balance outstanding at the instalment date.

A considerable number of these settlers accounts contain a Consolidated Debt Account sheet prepared in 1932 showing summary details of liabilities and payments from 1928. Details included the original capital value of the property, less any amount written off prior to 1932, the capital value, the value of improvements and other advances and the amount of interest due for both the land and for advances as well as the total indebtedness.

Following sheets recording liabilities and payments after the 1932 consolidation of debts give the name of the settler and the location and area of the land. Details are given for each half-year of the dates of statements, the particulars, the debits and credits and the balance remaining for payment on the account as well as any adjustment of the instalment amount. The principal and interest owing and the total remaining as well as balances in trust accounts are shown.

The Eastern Division consisted of such Land Districts as Sale, Bairnsdale and Omeo, eventually also taking in others such as Beechworth, Seymour and Alexandra.

This seies was previously registered as Unit 35 of VPRS 753 / P Records of the Closer Settlement Agencies.