1904.
VICTORIA.
----------------------
------
REPORT
OF
PROCEEDINGS TAKNN UNDER THE PROVISIONS
OF
THE LAND ACT 1901
(PARTS I. AND II.)
DURING THE YEAR ENDING 31sT DECEMBER,
1903.
PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND.
i3y \autborill):
ROBT. S. BRAIN, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, MELBOURNE.
No. 30.-[ls.]-10148.
Al'l'ROXlMATE COST OF RlliE'ORT.
Pr('pstmlim•,-Xot ~Yen.
I,rinting (460 e.·pi('~J
£ •. d.
14 0 0
•
]lE PORT.
To His E.'l:cellency the Honorable Sir Reginald Artltur James Talbot, Knight
Oommande1· of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, Gove1·nor of the
State of Victoria and its Dependenc·ies, 9'c., 9'c., 9·c.
Department of Lands and Survey,
Melbourne, 20th October, 1904.
ExcELLENcY,
I have the honour to submit the annexed Report by the Secretary for Lands
of proceedings taken under the provisions of the Land Act 190 J during the year 1903.
YOUR
The Report has reference to the undermentioned subjects, which are dealt
with in the order indicated:I.-Settlement.
H.-Sales by auction.
IlL-Pastoral occupation.
IV .-Misce:Uaneous.
DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT.
On 1st September, 1903, Mr. T. F. Morkham retired from the position of
Secretary for Lands in consequence of ill-health, and has been succeeded by
Mr. J. ,V, Skene, who was previously Chief Clerk of the Department.
The Forest Branch was transferred to the Department of Agriculture on
1st July, 1903.
Appendix A gives a detailed account of the work done in the Professional
Division of the Department.
I have the honour to be,
Your Excellency's most obedient servant,
J. MURRAY,
Commissioner of Crown Lands and Survey,
and President of the Board of Land and Works.
•
To the Honorabte Ju!tn Jlfurray, Commissioner
cif
Crown Lands
and SuTvey.
Department of Crown Lands and Survey,
Me1hourne, 20th Octo her: 1904.
Sm,
I have the honour to submit the following Heport of proceedings taken
under the provisions of the Land Act 1901 and the PVattles Act !800 during the
year 1903.
I.-SETTLEMENT.
The general methods of alienation of Crown lands in Victoria, from the first
sa]es to the 31st December, 1903, are shown in the following Tab]e (A):-
TABLE
A.
BY AUCTlO!<.
Couutry
1'own
Land~.
Lands,
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
Subur-
L~~~~•.
&c.
No.
Acres.
Acres.
1,273! 4,979
39!1,1'162
410,600
456,705
1,363,243
59,992
1865
639,761
6,709 ,34,137
680,607
1,499,910
3,078 559,423
1
5,900
15:5,299
During yeor-
.......
3,353
860
1,668
2,1:!6
2,259
1,957
20, 6·13
8,8 70
ll,691,697
I ,202
77,302
Section 49.
7,312
590,156
705
~,807
Land Jctl898-1901.
4,213
4,213
n.
Sections 59 and 54.
6i5
79,376
152,262
it>,2Il
83.28:!
5321 96,786
1,3~3 2\17,518
741 166,830
679 122,:n1
9(),513 !13,138
385,132
Sections 42 and
4,977
4,080
3,297
4,936
ll,664/ 182,691
I
Land Act 1898-1901.
1899
3,493,514
Section 10.
4531
76,100
Sc~tion 42.
41 524 I 427,545
, ... I
... ]
753,574
Section 49.
65,7;'j5jl0,472,909
... I ...
...
1891
809,462
Section I I.
120,177,31,198 j :!,924
Acres..
1,879,940
Section 19.
1
986,1751 17,229 32,693 1,036,097
...
Area~
3,944,237
2,800:31,295
1878
Totals
Acres.
Acres.
·122,610
Totals
-----~---
Area.
3,944,237
1
1900
1901
l9U2
1963
No.
Arc.a.
General
Total.
--1--··- ----1---1·---- - - - - -
392,610
1884·1890
42nd Section,
Act 186~, &c.
Certiflcme
Selection.
1862
1869
"
1
!
Totals
lJy
Auction,
Acres~I Acres,
Acres.
Under Imperial Acts
Land Act 1860 •••
I
BY SELECTION.
6,645
6,206
5,5.''lti
6,893
657
1,249
557
-
Sections 49, 50, 59
and 54.
Non-residence.
6,701 1320 acres
Selection
17,013,456
Total
1\'on.-Forielturcs have in every
ct~sc
28,879
50,257
17,332
33,165
211,686
506,243
259,929
2~5,692
- - - - - - - - -·--1---i 3,278 683,485 84) : 129,633 1,227,i63
-------------
Auction
198
319
Ill
2!7
2:!,714,776 acres.
been deducted irom tbc area solected.
6
Table B shows the number of leases and licences under the Land Acts 1869,
1878, 1890, 1891, 1898 and 1901 on 31st December, 1903, with the area and
rental:TAIJLg
B.
Section of Act:
Progress Payments.
ResidenceLicences-Section 42, Land Act 1890
Section 17, Land Act 189 l
Section 22, Land Act 1!:!91, ami
section 106, Land Act 1901
biection 42, Land Act 1898, and
section 47, Land Act 1~;01
Section 59, Land Act 1898 ana
section 54, Land Act 1901
Leases--Sect.ion 20, Land Act 1869-1878
Section 44, Land Act 1890
Section 17, Land Act 1891
lScdion 44, Land Act 1898, and
~ection 49, Land Act 1901
SeJt.ion 61, Land Act 1898, nnJ
section 56, Land Act 1901
Se~tion 10, Settlement on Lands
Act 1893, and section 322,
Land Act 1901
Section 24, Settlement on Lands
Act 1893, and section 335,
Land Act 1901
Sections 130 and 383, and sections
341, 3'15, and 346, Land Act
1901
Non-residenceI,icences-Section 49, Land Act 1890 ...
Section 49, Land Act 1898, and
section 50, Land Act 1901
Section i'i9, Land Act 1898, and
section 54, Land Act 1901
Leases-Section 20, Land Act 1869-1878 ,
Section 50, Land Act 1890
SecHon 50, Land Act 1898, and
seetion 51, Land Act 1901
Section 61, Land Act 1898, and
section 56, Land Act 1901
Lic~nce~ and Leases otlter than Agricultural and
Area.
No.
Annual Rental.
Acres
1,4[;6
108
123
122,477
1,403
58;)
6,123
126
47
2,94ti
369,:>54
11,092
3,162
687,632
1a,584
11,091
2,552
30
86.')
1,671,624
302,641
354
149,601
83,582
15,132
42
4,.590
219,621
5,0U4
1,362
23, 18;j
1,741
201
8,655
476
1,173
.56,830
8,862
67
509
4,3B6
5J,.'itG
439
2,185
264
67,769
1,667
385
56,814
:>,547
1.5,473
5,61l2
33
180
8
2,01'/
82
1,l05
5,042
14,838
88,601
1,477
6,717
J ,292
83
3,H08
731
.5,838
4
52,150
ll5
7,289
3,420,534
14,891
1,067
290,052
2,378
3,364
108
51
2,422,271
4,090
11 ,76ti
11,262
1,715
107
4,127
4,427
791
9
3,174
859
269
2,631,459
543,927
159,2i.!7
5,134
3,469
2,471
51,309
13,490,592
223,507
355
699
<~razwg-
Seotion 49, Land Act 1t:l69
Se11tion 65, !.and Act 1890, and
section 103, Land Act 1901
Section 145, Land Act 1901
Section 91, Laud A cl 1890
Pastoral Occupation.
Section 16, Land Act 1898, and section 21, Land
Act 1901
Section 29, Land Act 1898, and section 35, Land
Act 1901
Section 67, Land Act 1890, and section 105,
Land Act 1901
Section 187, Land Act 1901
Section 85, Land Act 1890 ••.
Section 80, Land Act 1898, and section 63, Land
Act 1901
Sections 80 and 103, Land Act 1898 ...
Section 5, Wattles Act 1890
Mallee LandsPastoral Leases • .. .
Perpetual I.eases .. .
Agricultural Allotment Licences
Total ...
• Fifty.two leases for 4, 768,888 acres expired on 30.ll.03
H
Land to be re-let under grazing licence.
.'5,542
60
7
SEcTIO~
20, LAND AcT 1869.
This sectio11, the rights of whicl1 nre preserved hy section 2 of the Land Act
1DO I, bestowed on licensees under Part II. of The L'md Act 1869 thn. right to
arquire, on expiration of the term of their licences, the fee-simple of their selections,
either by paying the balance of purehase money in one sum, or by deferred payments
under lease.
The following· Table shows the transactions during 1903 : TABLE
Balance of
Grants
J,ensc~
Gazctted os
Approved.
Gazcttcd as
Approycd.
Purchase.~
Completed.
I
Area
l'urchascd.
Art:' a
},cased.
I
,..
3
2,G06
!
·' Ac·r.-,'·.:.- u
6 6 " 1"
..,
------------~----~-----------
: l'urclwso l\1\~llC)
paid IJy
LJcensccs.
1
Area Leased
I
nnd
aflcrwanls
l'urchased.
Paid IJy Lessees
o.s Bahmcc of
i Pur('h:1sc money.
Amnunt
j
____ _________ ______
- - - : - - - - - - - - - !- - - - - -
.,;z
c.
,
I
Acre<.
,
£
•·
4:19
Acres.
d.
-166,.'518
nil
I
£
•-
d-
:5o,316 14
NoTE.-The transactions of a like nature uwicr section 11, Land Act 1878, arc inc1uded in this Table.
SECTION ;) I, LAND AcT 186 !l.
This section, the rights of wltich are preserved by section 2 of the Land Act
190 I, conferred on holders of licences, oLtained under the repealed Acts of 1862 and
1865, to occupy lands for other than pastoral purposes, the right to acquire the feesimple of the lands so held, credit being given in the purchase tor all moneys paid by
them as rent and survey fees.
In cases in which purchase has not been allowed on account of the auriferous
eharacter of the land, or of portions thereof being required or likely to be required
for railways or other public purposes, such of the licensees whose payments represent
an amount equivalent to the estimated value per acre of the land have continued in
occupation at a nominal rental of One shilling per annum pending removal of objections
or decision as to public requirements.
Table D shows the transactions during 1903 : TABLE
D.
Number of Applications.
Purchases
Complc.ted.
Received.
Area
Purchased.
of
Survey }.. ees
Allowed.
Approved.
Acres.
15
Balance~
Purchase l\Ioney
lteceived.
15
15
350
£
s.
d.
£
s.
d.
72
5
()
22
5
0
____________::_____.________ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ' - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
THE LAND AcT 1901.
Division 1, Part I.
Section 18 of this Act confers on licensees under section 49 of The Land Act
1869 the exclusive right of purchasing their holdings at a price to be determined
by the Board of Land and '\Vorks.
Fiftr·two applications, representiug 910 acres,
were approved during the year, and the sum of £10:? Ss. 5d. was received.
Division 3, Pm·t I.--Agricultural and Gmzing Lands.
Under this Division provision is made for the occupation of Crown lands for
the combined purposes of agriculture and grazing.
Section 3.5 of the Land Act 1!JO 1 (formerly section 29 of the Land Act 1898)
provides for the issue of grnzing area leases for a term of years expiring uot later
than the 29th December, 1920, for areas not exceeding :::!00 acres of 1st class land, or
G40 ncres of 2nd class land, or I ,280 acres of 3rd class land, or 1,920 acres of 4th
class land.
8
Table E shows the transactions during the year : TABLE
E.
Number ol Awllcntiono,
Area Applied for.
I
Uecelved.
Annu tl Rental.
Area I.c sed.
Approved.
I-
I
1,632
905
Acres.
A.cres.
£
863,888
57 4,482
2,194
!
Section 42 of the L'1nd Act 1890, the rights of which are prese1·ved by
section 2 of the Land Act 1901, provided for the issue of licences ( residenti;tl) for
agricultural allotments not exceeding ?,20 acres in extent.
Section 4 7 of the Land Act 1901 provides for the issue of licences
(residential) for agricultural allotments for :WO acres of 1st elass bud, or 320 acres
of 2nd class land.
Section 50 of the Land Act 1901 provides for the issue of licences (nonresidential) for agricultural allotments for 200 acres of I st class land, or 320 acres
of 2nd class land.
Section 54 of the Land Act 1901 provides for the issue of licences ( resideut.ial
and non-residential) for grazing allotments for 640 acres of 3nl class land, or 960
acres of 4th class land.
Table F shows the transaGtions under these sections during the year:-
TABLE
I
Sectivn.
Number of
Applications
Received.
!
42.
47.
50.
54.
54.
(Residence) Land Act 1890
(Residence)
l9lJl
1901
(Non-residence) "
"
(He~idenee)
1901
1901
(Non-residence) "
"
Total
...
...
...
...
...
Nil
5,892
92
}
1,138
...
F.
I
Area.
Applied for.
!'lumber of
Applir;n,tions
Apvrov<:d.
Annual Rental.
Area Licensed.
£.
Aercs.
Nil
... i
474,185 I
15,217
30
732
1.'57
782
60
222,159 {
3,704
92,414
17,028
155,323
16,137
I
s. d.
185 4
3,00() 13
722 10
3,317 9
403 !j
6
7,635
4
0
0
3
7
I
...
...
7,122
711,561
1,761
I
281,606
I
5
!'IOTE.-This Table includes selections under section 17, Land Act 1891.
Section 4-1 of the Land Act 1890, the rights of which are preserved. by section 2
of the Land Act 1901, enables licensees under Division 3, Pnrt I., of the Land Act
1890 to acquire, on expiration of the term of 'their licences, the fee-simple of their
licensed holdings e.ither by paying the balance of purchase money in one sum or by
deferred payments under lease. The following Table shows the transactions during
1903:-
Grnnt.ll
Ga•etted""
Approved.
Leases
Ga•etted""
PurchO£es
Completed.
Approved.
AreS
Purchased.
Area
LellScd.
I
I Are.'l l.en.sed
Balance of
IPurchase
Money :
paid
I
t.y
Licensees~
~
I
293
afterwards
PurclJa~ed.
H.3
9,606
AcrCIJ.
£
20,045
189
s.
d.
0 0
Amount
Paid by Lessee'S
as Bahmce <•f
PurclM~e
moucy.
------
;
Acres~
44
aul
Acres.
9,332
NOTII.-This Table includes particulars ol a like nature under section 50, Land Act 1800.
£
..
d.
4,355 13 10
9
Table H gives particulars of a like nature under sections 49, 50, and 54 of the
Land Act 190 1 during 1903 : TABLE
Grant•
Gazetted as
Approved.
Leases
Oazetted as
Approved.
16
557
Purchased.
Acres.
Acre.•.
17,~80.
130
Area Leased
and
n.flerw•rds
Purchased.
Area
Leased.
Area
Purehs.seF~
Completed.
H.
112,2!;5
.£
..
260 2
d.
Acres.
6
16,433
An10unt
Paid by Lessees
as Balance of
Purchase Money.
s.
d•
3,983 6
!;
£
U uder section 70 a lessee of an agricultural or grazing allotment of land under
the Land Acts 1884, 1890, :md 1 UO I, or of an allotment under Part II. of Tlte Land
Act 1869 or any Act amending such Part, can give an "ot·der" for the delivery of
the Crown g·rant to any person who has made an advance of money on the security
.of a lease, the mortgage being transferred from the lease to the Crown grant. Twentyseven orders, representing in all an area of 6,27 5 acres, were registered during the year.
Section 71 empowers licensees under Part II. of The Land Act 1869, and
licensees of agricultural or grazing allotments under the J. and Acts 1884, 1890, and
1901 to register liens at the Crown Lands Office upon the security of the permanent
improvements effected on their holdings up to half the value of snch improvements.
Forty-three liens, comprising an area of 6,097 acres, were registered during the year,
representing, as advanced on this kind of security, £3,928 2s. 5d.
Division 4, Part I.-Aurijerous Lands.
This Division provides for the occupation of Crown lands classed "Auriferous."
Under section 103, licences for the purpose of residence or cultivation may be issued
fot· lands not included within any city or town, and not exceeding 20 acres in extent.
Under section 105, licences may be issued for grazing purposes only up to 1,000 acres.
No alienation of auriferous land can take place; therefore, all occupiers of the
public estate under this Division are in the relation of annual tenants, and their
occupation is subordinate to that for mining purposes.
The transactions during the year under sections 103 and 105 are shown in
Table I : -
TABLE
I.
Section 103.
Number of Applications.
flection 105.
l
Number of Applications.
Area Licensed.
Received.
i
Approved.
:
1 099
492
.I
I
~~-~~
Received.
AcreA~
7 420
wOUKED-OUT
62
I
!
Area Licensed.
Approved.
A-ercs~
167
3o 255
AURIFEROUS LANDS.
By the 106th section of the Land Act 1901 it is provided that whenever it
appears to be no longer profitable to mine for gold within 50 feet of the surface of
any unalienated lands of the Crown, such lands may, after inquiry by a warden, be
declared to be "worked-out auriferous lands," and licensed in allotments not exceeding
five ( 5) acres in extent. Every licensee who shall have complied with the conditions
of his licence will, at the expiration of seven (7) years, be entitled to tlte fee-simple
of the land at a price to be fixed by the Board of Land and Works, and the amount
paid as annual licence-fees will be deducted from the purchase money payable.
During the year 27 applications under this section were received, and 28 applications were approved for an area of 136 acres, at an annual rental of£ 14 4s. 6d.
10
PROGRESS OF SELECTION.
Table J shows the progress of sele.;tio11 under sections 32, 42, 49, and 65 of
The Land Acts 1884-1890, and sections 29, 42~ and 59 of the Land Act 1898 and
corresponding sections of the Land Act 1901 : TABLE J.-LAND SEI.ECTED.
Under Section
Under Sections 65 and 103.
32.
Year.
Appllcations
Approved.
Acreage.
Applications
Approved.
Applications
Approved.
-~---
1886
1887
1888
1889
1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
1901
1902
1903
'
1,493
591,138
3,621 1,328,169
3,813 1,545,612
2,348
925,939
1,612
606,185
1,288
479,667
949
347,201
584
211,401
636
189,874
374
91,227
251
67,215
262
73,499
222
81,288
41
13,591
Section 29, L.A. '98, and Sec·
tion 35, L. A. '01.
1,558
701,504
3,663 1,642,054
1,173
507,403
905
574,482
~--~-~
I
83
296
418
518
539
538
845
1,o 14
771
796
653
605
616
11,310
50,758
65,862
94,898
95,634
84,924
115,611
112,607
72,090
43,284
54,115
59,380
66,998
41
33
37
30
25
99
39
34
20
26
14
1,349
2,6.'54
1,459
1,544
196,127
466,084
281,569
251,441
202
319
ll8
217
Act'flage.
- - - - ·------
5,383
4,409
3,!:·97
3,799
2,403
4,635
1,896
1,272
808
1,931
924
48
198
421
627
1,057
560
524
597
646
305
215
110
125
116
937
3,742
7,936
ll,578
19,154
10,220
9,530
11,002
11,474
5,376
3,730
1,895
2,006
1,987
29,042
.50,257
18,115
33,165
178
400
245
492
2,946
7,085
4,584
7,420
·-.·--------~·-·-------~-~------
·-·~-~.~--~~--~-
NoTB.-This Ta.ble includes selections under section 17, Lafllt Act 1891.
LICENCES .AND LEASES SuRRENDERED, REVOKED, OR DECLARED ExPIRED.
The following Table shows the number of licences and leases, uuder tl1e
sections specified, surrendered, 1·evoked, or declared expired during 1903 : TABLE K.
No.
Ex lent.
~---
Acres.
Licences-Section 19, Land Acts 1869-1878
Section 49, Land Act 1869
Section 42, Land Acts 1884-1890
Section 49, Land Acts 1884-1890
Section 42, Land Act.• 1890-1898
Section 59, Land Act H!98
Section 65, Land Acts 1884-1890
Section 67, Land Acts 1884-1890
Section22, Land Act 1891
Leases-Section 20, Land Acts 1869-1878
Section 44, Land Acts 1884-(890
Section 50, Land Acts 1884-1~90
Section 8.5, Land Acts 1884-1890
Section 29, !.and Act 1898 •••
...
7
•••
...
•..
••
...
...
I
•t77
•n
51
103
201
67
14
36
*144
•u
2
92
'
V>
139
19,605
551
9,131
32,972
4,497
20,794
70
7,502
27,792
895
59
27,09.1
• Includes licences "nd leases surrendered SG tha.t holders may obtain concessions allowed by Land Acta 1898-1001.
H.-SALES OF CROWN LANDS BY AUCTION.
The principle of deferred payments introduced in Part V. of The Laud Act
1884, has been continued and extended by the provisions of Division 5, Part J., of
the Land Act 1901, one-eighth of the price bid being paid at the time of sale, and the
remaining seven-eighths spread over a periud not exceeding twenty years, payable
half-yearly, in instalments of equal amounts, bearing interest at the rate of £4 per
centum per annum.
During the year, 6,893 acres were sold for £45,58 7. Interest to the amount
of £1,448 7s. 9d. was paid with the instalments of purchase money as they fell due.
The area of country lands sold at auction during 1903 was 4,936 ncres, of
which about 3,344 acres were improved, and 1,592 acres unim}lroved.
11
In consequence of a large number of purchasers having failed to pay up the
instalments of their purchase money as they became due, as required by the,
conditions of sale, steps were taken during the year to forfeit to the Crown the
amounts already paid and declare the sales void.
As a result of this action, which was not taken until after repeated and
fruitless notices to the purchasers, an area of 3i8a. 3r. 22p. reverted to the Crown,
and the instalments of purchase money already paid thereon, amounting to
£1,374 Is., were forfeited.
Table L shows the proceeds of sales by auction of country lands during each
year from 1892. Similar particulars for each year from the commencement of The
Land Act 1869 will be found in the departmental Report for 1891 :TAuu; L.
Year.
Area Sold.
·-·----··--
1892-6 months ending 30t.h Jnnct:nimprovcd land
Improved
,
6 months ending :Hst December-,
IJnimproved land
Improved
,
1893-6 months ending 30th JuncCnimprovcd lam!
Impro>erl
,
6 months ending alst DecemberUnimprovctlland
ImplO>cd
,
1894-6 months ending 30th JuncUnimprovc<l i[md
lmprovetl
,
6 months ending 31st DecunherUnimprovcd land
Improved
,
1895-6 months ~mling 30th .TuncUnimproved land
Improved
,
,
6 months ending 3Ift DecembcrUnimproved land
Improve,)
,
1896-6 months ending 30th JuneU'nimproved land
Improved
,
6 months ending 31st Decem her,
Unimproved land
Impro\·ed
,
1897-6 months ending 30th JuneUnimproved land
Improved
,
6 months ending 31st DecemberUnimproved hmd
Improved
,
1898-6 months ending 30th Juuel:nimproved land
Improved
,
6 months ending 31st DecemberUnimproved land
Improved
.,
1899-6 months ending 30th JuneUnimproved land
Improved
,
6 months ending 31st DecemberUnimprove!lland
ImprO\·ed
,
Hl00-6 months ending 3Uth ,JuueUnimprO\·ed land
Improved
,
,.
6 months ending 31st DecemberUnimprO\cd land
Improved
.,
1901-6 months anding 30th JnneUnimJ>l'O\'C<l land
Improved
,.
,
6 months ending 31st December1! nimprovcd land
Imr•rovcd
,.
1902-6 months ending 30th JuneUnimprovctl land
Improved
,
~ months ending 31st December- .
t:nimproved land
Improved
,
I\JO:l--6 months ending 30th .Tune
Unimproved land
Improved
,.
,,
6 months l'llding 31st December
Unimr.roved ltl.nd
Improved
,
"
Amount Realized.
------
A.
1,297
2,;38
R. P.
l 36
0 2-!
Average per Acre,
-~
£ 8. d.
:\,045 17 10
3,265 9 6
2
d.
6 11
l
3 10
£
8.
Ill 10
211
886
2,759
0
1 31
1,7:15
3,167
923
1,426
2 24
I 26
1,826 14
:!,1!17 13
0
8
19
8
6
3
695
472
2 35
0 38
880 18
1,264 18
9
4
I 8
2 13
2
6
1,648
920
0
0
0
0
2,472
1,058
0
0
0
0
3
0
1,03:!
l,l;lj
0
0
0
0
1,651
1,279
0
2
0
6
12
0
6
449
1,ooo
o 39
1,025 12
4,375 I:!
8
2
5
7
8
4
7
6
I ,288 9
62;1 14
9
6
4 11
3 12
9
I
4
3 I4
280
I i2
3
410
.84
0 26
1 25
1,205
127
448
2 33
2 14
364
631
391
997
l 10
I 34
1,143
2,606
142
1,145
0 38
I 23
439 19
1,559 0
247
1,348
2 15
0 26
469
4,488
98
518
0 22
2 17
461
2 35
2 8
651
2
3 6
0 10
3 3t
0
2
3
3
2 18
l I~
9
I
5
8
6
2 17
1 8
4
3 5
4 10
2 18
2 12
11
3
3
5
0 ll
4 3
3
2
1
1
a
0
1 18
3 8
0
11
0
711
9
3 19
I 7
3
8
2,152 7 ll
8.39 13 6
4 13
I 5
"
9
ll
2
9
5
3
I
8
285
3,756
2 12
160
ii 4
0 38
I 39
376
1,2:32
l 11
() 37
E6l
1,809
I 31
0 27
2,035
8
6,167
0 lO
760
1,415
0 !5
3 I
4, 25
14
8
28:l
837
3 24
0 9
980
4,160
9
3 20
~
389 11
0
I II
:1
772 15
267
3,086
I 27
10 0
837 9
15,905 18
9
I
863 19
13,231 4
9
9
3 0
3 10
6
5
737
0
4
4 12
I
3,369
7
7
4 7 0
1,465 16
9
3 18
()
4,471 13
8
3 12
6
0
3
3
I
7
6
9
8
()
2
e
6
3
8
I
5
9
3,415 14
()
3
4
9
I
0
7
0
18
()
5
3 11
6 6
8
0
0
1,8~:3
1,160
2,!H9
:1
4~1
3
2
1,058 19
·l
2
9
:~93
3 I7
l,il•l 13
9
4
6 10
1~,572
j
12
Table M shows the alienation by auction, during 1903, of town and country
lands, and the amounts derived therefrom : TABLE M.
Country Lands.
Town Lands.
I'
A.
1,957
Average
per
Acre.
Amount.
Area.
£ s. d.
£
8. d.
20,084 11 5
R. P.
0 29
10
5
3
A.
4,936
Average
per
Acre.
Amount.
Area.
R,
P.
1
8
s. d.
£
25,502 11 15
£
5
s.
3
d.
4
I
i
111.-PASTORAL OCCUPATION.
. The sum of £22,424 15s. 10d. was received during the year for gra£ing lir.ences,
uuder sections 103 and 187 of the Land Act 1901.
The amount of pastoral rent paid for each year since 1891 is shown iu Table N
below. Similar informatiol! for each year from the passing of The Land Act 1869
up to the end of 1891 is shown in the departmental Report for 1891.
TABLE
N.
£
3,363
3,329
2,661
3,874
3,0ll
3,462
3,303
2,823
2,275
50
65
66
1892
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
1901
1902
1903
s.
3
2
17
7
11
16
17
16
18
0
d.
2
5
9
10
1()
9
6
9
7
0
0 0
5
0
Section 21 of the Land Act 1901 (formerly Section 18 of the Land Act 1898)
provides for the issue of leases of pastoral allotments for any term of years expiring
not later than 29th December, 190~. There were no transactions during year 1903.
MALLEE.
The Land Act 1901, Part II., deals, inter alia, with about ll,166,793 acres of
land, exclusive of Mildura (250,000 acres), in the north-western district of the State.
In addition to the area above, 155,207 acres have been laid off as roads, &c., through
the mallee to facilitate travelling in this portion of the State, and 397,881 acres have
been retained as reserves. The tl·ansactions for the year are as under:No.
---------------Leases issued
f Agric11ltural leases
) Perpet11nlleaseg ...
) ~<\gncuitllra.l allotments
l Garden, Store, &c.
Leases cancelled for non-paymem of j .Mallee allotments
rent, &c.
1Perpetual leases ...
Whole allotments
Leases transferred
Portions of allotments
· · · { Agricultural leases
Perpetual leases .. .
{ Perp::tualleases .. .
Applications roceivecl
J.icences
.. .
~ Perpetllal lenses .. .
Applications granted
, Licences
..• ·
Applications refused
{Perpetual leases ..•
Licences
...
Applications abandoned
{ Perpetual leases · · ·
Licences
...
N11mber of Local Land Boards held
Cases denlt with ..•
Licences issued
350
47
67
65
2
48
165
81
32
7
433
41~
55
50
378
362
3
2
24
845
Area.
-----
Acres
289,766
33,218
43,415
876
32,944
115,52!:1
41,563
:?5, 719
4,410
13
On 1st January, 1904, the areas av::1ilable ::1nd held under ]ease were as
follow:-
{
Available for application
Acres.
20
63
1,688,705
443,416
426
37&,297
52
4,768,888
3,174
593
859
269
2,631,459
528,563
543,927
159,237
r·~·--·l
hcence.
p
Agricultural allotments
Held under lease
No.
Blocks ... section 187,
Land Act 1901,
Allotments ~nnualgrazing
f
Blocks r·~··
30.11.08.
expired
To be .re· }
...
Agricultural allotments held ...
t
let under gmzmg
Jicences .
. Allotments .. .
Agricultural leases
Perpetual leases
Licences
...
.. .
The revenue derived was as follows:£
Rents on blocks ...
Rents on allotments
Rents on agricultural allotments
Rents on grazing licences, &c.
Survey fees on blocks
Survey fees on allotments ..•
Valuation of improvements on allotments
Interest on valuation of improvements
·Fencing rates
FeesApplication
Loo so
Transfer
Mortgage
T.iceneo
1,572
5,133
3,832
186
21
ll6
592
121
12
£ s.
210 0
358 0
220 0
127 0
50 0
s.
0
2
15
15
17
d.
7
4
11
7
0
0 0
ll ]0
8 2
11 10
d.
0
0
0
0
0
965
0
0
£12,554
3
3
VERMIN RATES.
Vermin rates, proclaimed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation
of loeal committees eJected or appointed for the destruction of vermin, were co1lected
and remitted to local committees as under:Northern Vermin Board
North-Eastern Vermin Board
North-Western
,
,
,,
,
Eastern
Western
"
"
:Middle
"
"
Warracknabeal
"
"
£ s. d.
599 0 9
103 16 1
497 19 3
162 ll 11
164 8 3
243 11 6
£1,771
7
9
IV.-MISCELLANEOUS.
SECTION 63, LAND AcT 1901.
Under this section perpetual leases may be issued for any Crown lands,
including swamp or reclaimed lands, mallee or village settlements, limited, however,
to an area of 600 acres of 1st class land, 960 acres of 2nd class land, and 1,920
acres of 3rd class land, or 2,880 acres of 4th class land.
Five applications were made during the year, for an area of 2,077 acres, and
one lease was issued for an area of 292 acres at an annual rental of £1 16s. 5d.
SEcTION 146, LAND AcT 1901.
Under this section provision is made whereby a licensee under section 145 of
the Land Act 190 l of a site for a butter factory or creamery, or a site for a 1·esidence,
garden, inn, store, smithy, or similar building not within the boundaries of any city,
may apply for the exclusive right to purchase such site after having been in possession
for a period of five years and erected buildings or made other improvements, credit
being given for the amount of rent paid dnring the period of possession.
During the year 94 applications under this section were granted for an
area of !20 acres.
14
SEcTION 184, LAND AcT 1901.
In this section provision is made for the alienation of portions of land not more
tlum 20 acres in extent at a price to be fixed by appraisement. During the year
1,099 acres were sold in this manner, realizing the amount of £3,588 18s. 4d.
SEcTION 149, LAND AcT 190 i.-CoMMONs.
Commons were diminished by proclamation to the extent of 3, 754 acres.
Tllree ( 3) commons which were found to be no longer required were abolished.
SECTION 164, LAND AcT 1901.-PENALTIES.
The amount of penalties, at the rate of Five shillings per acre, received during
1903 for non-improvement by lessees under the Land Acts of 1862 and 1865, and
interest on rents in arrear, was £1,933 7s. 7d.
SEcTION 193, LAND AcT 190 I.-PuBLic HEARINGs.
During the year 1903, 385 sittings of Local Land Boards were held, at which
applications for lanJ and other business, comprising in all 12,732 subjects (including
applications for mallee lands), were dealt with.
Seventy-two cases were publicly heard by the Minister during the year.
CROWN GRANTS AND LEASES.
Four thousand and forty-eight Crown grants and 2,976 leases were prepared
and passed from the head office during 1903.
FEES AND CERTIFICATES.
The sum of £28,168 5s. lld. was received during the year for certificates,
transfers, and registrations under the Land Act 19tH, and for miscellaneous fees,
including those payable for grants, leases, and survey charges.
ARREARS OF REN'.r.
The arrears due by Crown lessees and licensees amounted approximately on
31st December, 1903, to £367,715.
REVENUE.
Table 0 shows in detail the revenue contributed by the Department to the
Treasury during 1903:TABLE
0.
Temporary Occupation.
Pastoral occupation and grazing licences (including fencing rate,
£164 15s. lld.)
Rents under section 29, Land Act 1898, and section 35, Land Act 1901
Rents under section 103, Land Act 1901
Rents under sections 45 and 47, Land. Act 1869, Division 8 of Part I.,
Land Acts 1890-1901
Perpetual Leases, section 80, Land Act 1898, and section 63 Land Act
1901
Alienated in Fee simple by Auction and Deferred Payments, also
Rents received towards Alienation.
.&..
R. P.
By auction-Town land
1,957 0 29}
,
Country land
...
...
... 4,936 I 8
Sundry payments on account of purchase in fee simple
By purchase under section 31, Land Act 1869
•..
,
,
,
18, Land Acts 1890-1901
Rents under section 49, Land Act 1869
,
section 42, Land Acts 1890-1898, and section 59, Land
.Act 1898, sections 47 and 54, Land Act 190 I,
section 22, Land .Act 1891, and section 106,
30,347 5 11
Land Act1901
1,237 19 8
,
section 49, Land Acts 1890-1898
•••
.. .
•.•
Rents and balances of purchase money under section 20, Land Act
. 1869, section 11, Land Act 1878, section 44, Land Acts 1890-1898,
section 61, Land Act I 898, and sections 49 and 56, Land Act 1901 161,213 13 0
Rents under sections 5-10 and 20-24, Settlement on Lands Act 1893,
9,872 19 0
and sections 318-322 and 382-335, Land Act 1901
Penalties unde1· section 164, Land Act 1901, and interest
Fees for grants, leases, licences, surveys, &c.
Sale of plans and sundries
1,933
28,168
2,154
242,673 14
3
32,255 •17
6
7 7
5 11
4 0
Total Revenue
• This Item illolucles illtereat, £1,!48 7a. 9d., and luet&lmeuu on aecount of Jom• plea prtor to 1897.
351,364
3 11
15
VERMIN DESTRUCTION.
The following is the expenditure under this head for the year ending
31st December, 1903:Subsidy paid shire councils, &c., for destruction of dogs and
foxes
•..
•••
...
•••
...
...
Wages of men working Crown lands, material, &c.
Salaries of inspector!! and allowances to police rabbit
inspectors
Total
SECTION
36
OF THE MINES
£2,612 16
7,827 2
5
4
5,796
9
5
£16,236
8
2
AC'l.' 1890.
In this section provision is made whereby the holders of registered Miners'
Rights may purchase the areas occupied by them respectively at a price to be fixed by
appraisement.
During the year 50 persons exercised the right of purchase thus conferred,
the area purchased being 33a. 2r. 19-{0 p., whilst the amount realized was
£496 7s.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
J. "\V. SKENE,
Secretary for Lands.
APPENDIX A.
I have the honour to submit my report on the Professional Division for the year ending 3ut
December, I 903.
SURVEY BRANCH.
A very large area of land was made available for application during the year, and in conseAdditional surveyors were enquence there was a considerable increase in the work of this branch.
gaged, and throughout the State from so to 6o were employed.
:Much of the area dealt with
comprised very difficult, rangy country, necessitating special care in the selection of road routes. The
amended regulation by which, in such country, tentative road rights over ridge roads are secured, pending the formation and opening of the selected and graded road, is much appreciated by shire councils
concerned, and by a system of careful grading in the first instance, an immense saving of time, trouble,
and expense, both to the Department and the councils in effecting road deviations will result.
The time of the four District Surveyors has been largely occupied in the work of inspecting areas
for settlement, classifying and valuing land, and conducting Local Land Board inquiries; in consequence the active supervision has been limited.
As formerly, the five Staff Surveyors have been engaged in work of a special character, comprising road grading, topographical surveys, re-surveys of old work, subdivision of reclaimed land, &c.
Mr. John Lardner, District Surveyor, Bairnsdale, retired during the year, and Mr. G. S. Pinniger, Staff Surveyor, was promoted to the position, his vacancy being filled by the appointment of
l\Ir. H. W. Moore.
SuMMARY OF EXPENDITURE ON SuRVEYS.
(Including the cost of Staff Surveyor's work.)
£,
Subdivision of land for sale
Main road surveys
Feature surveys
Check surveys and connexion lines
Re-surveys for sale, selection, &c.
Selection surveys
Balances of fees (selection surveys, to be repaid in instalments by applicants)
Miscellaneous surveys
Mallee subdivisions
Marking sites for public purposes
Selection and other surveys-(fees collected from applicants)
s. d.
I,OS9 4 11
1,798 IS 0
48S 0 2
210 7 8
346 8 2
I,407 9 2
0
2
3,766
I6S
904
1 73
8
9
II
IO
10,316
I4,soo
7
0
9
0
24,816
7
9
£,
I li
s. d.
Amount received as instalments on grazing area surveys, and collected
with first rents on previously surveyed Jlotments
6,osi o o
Amount collected and deposited in Trust Fund Account
...
... 24,418 10 4
Pavments to Authorized Surveyors, refun'ds to applicants, and transfers to
· revenue amounted to
... 23,333 I I o
16
CoMPUTING AND ADJUSTING BRANCH.
In the aggregate the work for the year has been very heavy.
The number of plans of new surveys dealt with, computations checked, and field notes examined was 489.
Some of these represented
large subdivisions of from z,ooo to n,ooo acres, comprising 193 allotments, and an area of 41,700
acres.
Plans of selection surveys similarly dealt with
Certified plans for leases and grants
Certificates of adjustment ...
Diagrams required
3·900
£I2o
Fees received for certificates of adjustment
The Staff consisted of one officer in charge and ten draughtsmen for the full year, and five additional draughtsmen for from three to nine months.
The superintending draughtsman, Mr. H. St. H. Blair, and Mr. H. F. Conrad (draughtsman)
retired during the year, and Mr. W. M. Brown resigned.
DRAUGHTING BRANCH.
Owing to the many demands made on this branch for various purposes, full attention could not
be given to compilation work.
The following statement shows the work performed:Plans compiled, full scale
44
Plans revised and posted for re-issue . . .
58
Recora plans, large tracings, &c.
. . •.
46
Special plans, new subdivisional surveys &c.
39
Miscellaneous plans, tracings, chartings &c.
910
64
Plans for certificate of Board of Land nd Works
Title Office certificates
103
Technical descriptions for various reservations, &c.
590
Diagrams on Crown Grants (not including those done under contract)
9,3oo
LITHOGRAPHIC BRANCH.
The work of this branch again showed a arge increase for the year.
The various maps for
departmental purposes, compiled plans (full and half-scale), electoral maps, classification maps, &c., to
the nurr.ber of 51,2I5, were printed, and in addition the necessary supplies of circulars, schedules,
forms, &c.
For other State Departments and the Commonwealth Government, plans were prepared and
printed, representing a value for services rendered of £336 6s.
The amount received from sale of plans was £720 19s.
The total staff of the draughting and lithographic branch~ including printers and plan mounter,
numbered 37·
ENGRAVING.
Only one engraver was employed, and during the year the plate of Geodetic, Sheet G, was
posted to date; Sheet S, north division, continued; additions made to Sheet K, south division; and
to the plates of Victoria, 8 mile and r6 mile scales.
PHOTOGRAPHY.
The usual photographic work, and preparation of transfers for departme,r;tal maps, and for
other departments, were carried on, the number of transfers being 480.
The staff consisted of one
photographer and one assistant.
PLAN MOUNTING.
One officer was employed.
Maps and plans to the number of r,sro were mounted, and in
addition repairs and miscellaneous work were attended to.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,
J.
M. REED,
Surveyor-General.
The Hon. John Murray, M.P.,
Commissioner of Crown Lands and Survey.
By Authority:
RoB'l'.
B.
BRAIN,
Government Printer, Melboume.