VPRS 726 Register of Applications, Ballarat, St Arnaud and Kerang, Part II Land Act 1869

Full description

The introduction of the Land Act 1869 saw all Crown land, not previously occupied in Victoria opened up for selection. Provisions were made in section 42 of the Land Act 1865 for selection before survey. Prior to this time surveys were conducted on all Crown land before it was made available. The provision of free selection before survey was carried to the 1869 Act. The aim of the legislation was to encourage settlement on lands that would be most advantageous to the colony.

Applicants completed an 'Application for Licence under Part II of Land Act 1869' form at District Survey Offices. The District Surveyor would enter the applicants' details in a register of applications kept at the District Survey Office.

The District Surveyor would enter into the register of applications the application number, the date the application was received, the applicants' name, the parish, the allotment and section number and size (acres, roods and perches) applied for. Other details included the fees paid for a half year's occupation and the preparation of a license, the signature of the applicant and any remarks. The application was then forwarded to the Department of Crown Lands and Survey where it was entered in a Register of Applications (such as VPRS 12026/P1) and allocated the application number which would become the file number.