1926.

VICTORIA.

THE LAND ACT.

FOR

THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30m JUNE. 1H26.

J"P.F.SENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT PURSCANT 'fO 'fHE I.AND A('!' 1915, No. 2676,

;13:y ;stntharit~:

li. J. GREE~, GOVETINME:ST rnJNTER, MELDOURNJ:,

REP 0 H 11•

Depal'tment of Lands and Survey,

Melbourne, 25th November, 19:!6.

The H onorable Alfred Downward,

Sm,

Comm·issinru!r o( c,·owu Lands and SmTelJ,

,~f,•lboume.

I have the hollOUl' to Stthmit my Report, f(n· the.""'"' c·JHling ilOth .Junt-, 1926, On the g'EllH.'l't\1 WOrk of tJH~ [)t']HirtllWllt.

The Ucport. has reference to thr· undel'menti<1lH'd snhjef'l,, whi•·l, nt·e <lealt with in the m·det' indie<>tt•tl :-

I.-Settlement. I V.- :\lnlle" H.-Sales by auction.

III.-Pastom'i oe eu p.t tion, \' .-~li:-H:<:IIane"li·'·

And furni:;h<:s information as to the geJteral 1\'o!'k of the Dep:utmenr.

GE.\ IWAL RG.\IAHKS.

There is nn inerensing dt·m:uul t'ot· ( 'rown lands for settlement, :md efforts are being made to JH'OI'id(' tlte ""''''''"l'r railw;n· facilities and water channel,; in the ~la11Pe f'Otmtr.\~, w11tll't> mi.\Yd tfll'min.:..:· is likt·l.v to pro\'tl .--ucet>ssful.

The largc·r an·as of tl"' low<·r-elas>'<l<l lands througltout the State tl1at ll't'l'C

tixed in the Land Act 1921 arc athmling pos.;ihilitie . .; of pr:1ctical sctrlement on some of these poorer lnnds.

LAND SETTLEMENT.

1Tie tot<tl area of the State is 5G,245,7tl0 .:wro>s,

La.nJs alienated in h~e-simpll:' This comprise~~

Lands iu pt\.tCI3t<.S uf alienation C't"own lu.nJ:>

TotuJ

The Cr._.wn lamt'l cornpci.-;c--

Perrn<tJH?nt fnn~~t'~ (undet' F<Jn~sts Act J

'J'imhcr t't'iE!I'\-es (ntt<if't- Fon•st.-.. Ar•tJ ~tat€! fon:st"' nod titn'wr rc-;t·t·q•:.: {un.dn· Land ,.\('t \ \Vater re:<CtTPs

He;;etTe:-, for agt·ic<dturnl eollr·.w;v", xc, Hesenes in tln• 1-lnilrp

Rnad.~ \Vater· fr<:Jntng(''>, bed, <~f ri\fWh Jrd(l'-,, ,\·'.:., uu;,vld hwd

i:t ('itie:>, Lowu~1 nurl hvt'\)1Jg'lF< Lnnd in •_lC'Nl[l<ltiuH tnHl\'1· --

Perpetual len:.re:--Ot\Jer :ett:-ii'S tmd 1iteucf>,., Tempvrttry ::.:;mzing liet:lit·<?~ ... t) nuet"upied

Total

2:),46:1, 119 a::re.-;

!), 2:~ 1),00 1 :H,5 12,0.)0

::.:)(j'J,2:?;_~ 1\•:re-, i:hJ.355 3:.!U,t100 ;Jl4,(i03 ,..;:\879

-IU\t'GD :{'}:'.,lilO

l.7iJ-J:;·Jlr'

tl1,253 71,46"'

6,'i: {i,044 o,206,:J~l

,,

" "

N()le,-Thr:"e :figm·ps rqwP'fent the latest information .::waiiabl£>1 and have been computed tn Jht December, 19:!5.

4

The following summary shows the result under the principal sections of the Laud Aets, giving the numbers of the holdings aud the aggregate a'reas :-

New scle~tiou (ex cl usi ve of Mallee lo.nJ) New selection, Auriferou~ land-Sec, HO N ww t:electiou, :Mul1ee laud .•• HolUings eouverieJ to Selection tenure

Number of Holdinga.

BJI 125 4oi lBZ

l 01,613 2,070

328,2<3 3,018

Settlement under the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Acts has procee<led during the yl'ar, :tnd tot11l number of soldier settlers plaeed on Crown l>tnds to date is as shown lwreunder :-

Special Settlement Areas, Merhein and Nyah (hrigation Aret\.;,) lt\6 l\lallee lands (Dry .Areas) 963 Other Crown lands (Dry Areas) 41~

RELIEF ADVANCES.

The repayments on account of advance,; made for seed and fodder, seeing that there was a dry season, ha n• heeu fitirly satisfuctor.Y,

For twelve months ending- 30t.h .rune, 1926, the amount collected in respect of the various loans was £455. The total amount due was £3,06il.

Owiug to ll partial failure of crops in the Mallee further advances were made amounting to £28,500.

1915 Loan. 1920 Loo.n. 1923 Loa.n.. 192~ Lo•n. 1926 Loan.

Amount· adva.nced £500,600 £60,433 .£7,151 £1,344 £28,500 Repay1netJts 500,462 59,907 6,692 66 159

--- --- ---Balance owing £138 £526 £459 £1,278 £28,341

VERMIN AND NOXIOUS WEEDS DESTHUCTION.

The net expenditure under the Vermin and Noxious Weeds Act 19~2 for the financial yellr 1925·26 was £8!!,278 2s. lld. This amount included the cost of destroying noxions weeds, vermin and harbor on unoccupied Crown lands, the pnrclmse of implements, tools, material, tents, and the payment of suhsidy to :VIuuieipal Councils for the destruction of foxes and wild rlogs.

The ,;um of £4,~90 lls. 2d.,as set out her<' under, was collected from landholders, \lunicipalities, the Closer SNtlement Board, the Forests Commission, and other Departments tor w"rk dom· in destYoying vermin and noxious weeds, and as costs iueurred in cormexiou with proceedings inst.itnted ngainst lamlholders for failure to (•ompl~· with the Act.

Cloeer Settlement Board

:Fmest~ Commission

H&ilway Dt~partment

EducMion Department

COLLECTIONS.

State Ri\'ers und \Ya.tcr Snpp1y CouunfsEioH

Council of Agricnlturnl Edncati::.n

Crown Low Departm'1nt

Municlvnlitiei C11Jltetlous from )anJ}w]JerB .•.

Cn)';!~ aHt(mhwdlunPIHl., receipt:-.

Tottd

£2,07R 17 g

1,295 12 ()3 7 6

25 17 0 14f, 8 5 2o 9 2

5 19 4 136 9 10 488 2 10 130 7 3

5

Rpecial cff(H·ts are being made to eftectually deal with St. John's Wort on the unoccupie<J Crown Lands in the north-e:J,tem districts and elsewhc•re, especially Oil

infested roads and stock routes, wntc·!·,hed,; aml frout:1gc•,; to stream.; that nwy, if aC'tion i":'i not bd\('11, convey the .:;(•edR to uninf(•..;ted lalld~.

Dnl·iug: the Wt·ed .sertsoll aii(Jltt C~5 toHM of tlfll'C'iiHcd ~Hlt \\'(;f'e distl'ibnteti OYer

Crown land~ in continnation oi' t/1(' a('tiou takt'tl to dp.,fl·oy St. lfoim's \Vol't during the prerioth seasou. It ha~ been t·oport<_•d thnt, 011 llt~tll,\' vf th.: m'P<h so tretlted, tl1ere is n very htxuria.nt g'l'Owth of gr~1s., <'Oa~picnon"ly noti(·eahle in <:ontl'nst \Vith eon­contiguour:; nren.:-; tl1at lwn· not been :--.il~:ilarly treat(•d.

:\lueh work ],as hec·n dnne in de,twvin~t other noxious weeds hv tl1e Cmwn an< I l,y land holders; :111<1 tin• dc~truetion o{ snft'ron thistles. pnrtieulnrly on the half wiclth of roads and on a ZO!H' along the <•xtcmal homularit>H of infcstecl area,;, is prmlneing exc<·lh·nt !'c'lmlts.

Xot ><o mam· lnndholder' applied for exemption under the Act last seaoon as during the pl'eriotb one. I' his is, in a great HH!a:.;;nre, due to the filet that the f!;l'Owth ol sncl1 m11mal' ns sall'nn thi,tle, star thistlt•s and Bathurst burr has heen lighter than during tla~ pn•rion..: ~t·asou, when, in nm~eqnence of n rC'currenc(~ of condition~ th:1t indtl<'l'rl the ;,:·c•rmi,,uion of tlw fi1llen set•<L a set•<md and e1·en l1 third gt·owt.h of weccl.s nppearPd a'ftet' <'lltting. . . ·

f 11 Ot'dPr to pl'ot<.:c:t growing crop~ tllHI pastnrC', inf'peetors W('l'(' iustruct0tl in tin' al!tnnm to :;:in· 'i'"dnl attention to the tlestrnction of rahhits and bm·ro\\- lwrhor on lli!Of·en:'i<'d ( 'rown lands. ll-lany gangs of ruen were l'Hlployed. fumigating and di.Q·,:·!"f:' nut hnrrol!'"• 1rith tht> result tlwt Cl'O]" and pnstu1·e hav<· heen well peowetc<L

Lawlholtle!'' gr•11erally l~ttve eftedi1·ely complied with the pro1·isions of the .\et, aurl "" primtt· lnnds ns well as Crown lands mhbits ;we well under eolltrol. Thi> is rdh•eHcd iu rhe faet that scnrl'cl v an,. complaints are bciug· r<•ceived rcga1·<ling rll hhits on C•·own ot· private lauds at tl;e present time. · '·

AI: REARS.

ThPre was an increase in the llrrears on onlin~trv Crown lands and Mallec lnutls dm·ing tl1e yr·:u·. Special efforts will he made to c<;llcct arrears.

Arrears at 30th June, 1925. Crown lands Ma.Uee land:;

£35,140 £!11,9'7

Arrears at 30fh J rme, 1926.

Crowu lands .. . Mallee lutd~ .. .

£49,-1:50 ,.. .£93,HO

CITY LA~D HELD FOR INDUSTRIAL PUIU'OSES.

Renewals of expiring lease~ lm ve heen efl'eeted, the tl't'HI g-enemlly being ten vearcs. ( ltlter sites h:n·e been Jcalt with undet· licenee, and rents are er,utinnallv ~nder review. Tht> total ren•nue from these llitc•s was £49,fl4L '

NEW LEGISLATIOc-;.

Till' following j, a list of the Al'ts passed:-

Echuca Laud A er 1925, Nu, 3400. Towbo Land Ad 1\123, S·•· :Hn.

Jlalver 11 Lo,,d ,1.:1 H):2~1. Ko. :n1 I Clnspr Settlerr•r;,,( Ar:t IH2!'.. ~'). :H~:.:!.

CLOSER SETTLEJ\IENT ACTS.

The details of Closer Settlement work are dealt with in till' speeial rc•port nf the Board. The <lC]Hlrtmental staff is charge<! with a lurg·e portion of tl1e lHhninis­tratire \Yorl< of dealing with the ndnwees to settler,;, the collectinn of repaymNJt,;, instalments, :md rents, the insurance of impro1·entems, the prl'pm·ntion and notin:.;: of lea>es, t.ogether with the review of the g:encral eomplianev with the <·ouditions of J~·~l"es.

6

I.-ALIE:'iATIO:\'" OF CROWX LX~ms. The general methods of nlieuation of Crown lands in Victm·ia, h·om th• first

sales to the 30th June, 1926, are shown in the following Table (A):-TABLE A.

c""''l I :~w~u~c:;;~:.l T~~'' ~~ '''~~;;;•; ""' , &c, ,

: I I• No. Arc!l..

HY S.ELC:CTlO.Y,

J'a'.iilca~tl ;o;clcctl~n.

No. :~I ii2nd SccUOlJ,

Act tefl:i, &(),

!\o. Area.

J.am:~. I Lnnil~ .. :,:mds. : AUr!;ou, :1-

----·-··· -~----1 ! ----

Acru, Acre.i. Aenl!. j Acna, 1: Aer~1:1.

tinder f1nperh1l Acts "'I ... . ·-· ··· ~-;;,;lH,2.3;" (

DmdA.ct!SfiO ..• ;;D:2,610 1,273 1 4,9i9 :J98,t~62 ,! . ' I .. lSU~

" lhti5

" lkBD

.. " l.Si8

-t22,GW; 2,soo 3I,295j· 4.56,;-o.; 1 J,:w:;,u;\

H·l n;::if,76l! 6,709 3-t,!3i ss!J,iJlli ~~ s,:111p 1,-t'l~),n~v ! ;-,eo l'• 11 lfl.

.. 1936,1':'/j l7,~:B :P.eJJ:l l,V:I\,0!1 7 ,:;.,,Jl 10,--b<~,~i~

" :-,,.,·liun 11.

'" ~~ l5'3. ;oC,IOIJ '

59,992

75t,2()6 )<;cd!~•n 4!1,

!11,584[ HH,716; ' Srdionltl '

4i}] ' 1,202

I , lSR4·l!'I£1H: 120,177 '::;1,198 155,299 ·I 4,2;tio7l!:~-~~otl :'i<·ct.iiJ~J ~fr.

1

·

; 16 G,2:-!2 [ ..•

" 'l'otalo~

Dnrh1g year~

1 S9~J

i •.JUU I ~lO I 19:•:: I ;Ill:)

l:J\H 190J; 1906 19117 !!'•.IS l!lfJ;) Lll\1 I.Lit tQ.l0.6.1~ U112~12

191:1-14 1!:114-1.'\ 1:115-1€ Htl£-17 l!H>-18 l9JS-l9 .•. lD!'J-20 191!t-::! I 1021-1"2 ~n·.H-23 Hl.:::l-·.:4 1924-25 .•• 11~2.1-26 ""

! ... !

... !

... I

r ... ~--

'

;~etiion; 22 ami HI!}.

· ' J53 iS4 ·-~~-: --·i-­

~.j:J7,S41 ..... - -~·i----i--~,·-

1Aml.~~~l!;:!il-l'.liJ1. l.\1'1'1 .{d J k!)f. •. lf)l!l-l1Jll-l11l:"!.

:3/153! eno 4,2131 .. ~cc:tiou~ -±:2., 17. 8. (!nd

; 4.G.

4,\177 4,0:'1) a,~\1:

..f.<I.Jij 3,lh4'

l,i.JBh ::U'!6

6;,7 i I ,:2-i'J

i9 .. 'l7•i l5~,:!fd

:!,<J;,CI .;.;; ';".'J:_!](

l,HU7 6,,~J:1 675 6:1,!!8.; :,9~4 7-ii i 5n,:">:!o :

:I;Jfi';" :1,1:!9 7:!0 .~-!,~:!~

jl,~::; 910 !i•i,l~? 1, .,,,J :1111 !J5,\l~D

lJo;)(j f-:2{ ;,~,i::1>J

'l,i<h ~,u:,:?, i:H ~s.u li 'l,~!i'J !,i.tl: i i~D :j.~,no1 2,Q.j<l -,l·L 1 1,!1:'~ 51,.-,a·: 11 17:\ 1,279 i 759 :W,0:JG

i~JO l.~on 'Jli:! :d,S:~ 9!1:! 1,021.1 5f>:! i-l,:!.:!P 7iH. J,•J\'4: ;t.i7 1.4,4;:-:1 5: i i

licli.ll 5.1-1 I

1i:\ I

l.<~D'

2,07() 51;.!

743

::,q; eiH 12.?!.0 +Hl' 2:!3 \tll", 474.' 1,\!l ~ 2')1 lt:,'l:'ii i).,IL 2,;{.-,! :026 7 ,1)1-'J G~t,)" !,34rl JS~ 9.:i21-; 7:.!4 i 1.:-J:\ 8~ 0.~.>7 (J4Jj l.lO::i 21\l lD.;:-;o 7-U I 2,Sl0 86 ~,';tU

GUO , 1,332 1.16 8,Gl7

,'::-<i>(•liJth ~•'\ !H, ~. l'Jdclt:>,

: ~'"di0M·~o. uo, 69, I ~I, ._:;, "-l:d 1/J. 1 Ko:t-re;,idence.

1 il

9H,7S6 'l~7 ,."i( 8 lCG,S.iD 1 12,:\'> I {:)(1.11 '}

:1 ~, 70C: 01 ,Z<J~l 6i, [;;!:l ~l."o, ! :lG \1(' i -1.'::\ (](',,,;:)]

~~' 1 1.1 .j;i,J;t;! :i l,:i I:J E'.ti,!l-Hi 7'1.\71 !<::Ef'l a9,1•:1:1 ~:),[):)(

i;l\,11,/jtj

4~. i 5" ' .-.:\,·.!! l : 10S,906

fl7 n-:;,; · Hli~ii{};! .t:1,5-i3

:9& 28,S7P 319 ;al,2;}i 111 l7,:;:a:: 217 ;)il,lti5 !{:! :.!5,-.!lj;t ]I•"S :.!.),412 l '..!.1 ~P, 128 11:~ :n,:;:z:". 12.1 27' !:1\l-i 113 ' ::\3,!1~:-j

lf!V " 35.G~+2

~uv 41 ,:-1\j:) l i 7 21,<J;)lj 127 l!<,iifl l\l9 18,Gf.l") 23 1&,:!29

"" 19,551 4:3 7,:·HH ';'() 1 '2, !187 7G 1 G,.lG0

" t.'i,.l(\\f ];)!) 4.tl,lG3 22fi I Ui 14ifJ 195 C6,9S2 117 :-t0,917

-- I 241,6JG ... o;o I , l,u~s BH n,t:o'l

!~~-- --· ---- ------~1:1.1 S9AH·2 I l4,1!H i i}!J:").()IH :1,:1't1 :!.'.b)2.6-l:{1,.)!)9

Au('tiun i:.\elec< ion

Tutal

!j,";'!iL:.:hH a.:'re .. •1:J:·:r".o::o

:!O,:i71,3HI acre~>.

"\',Tr..- Forf«<' tu!'':• lul'(!' j,,.,,n .: =·•hH·r.•d 1 r•"ll the t>r< .• ~~·!•" t \"d "ExclusiV'O •)t 8Pioctlon hl MnUcO" Cvuutry,

SEC'l'!ON 31, LAXD ACl' 180!1.

Oe:wr11• T;•(jil,

ll.UI8,5 JiJ

4,21]

~I L{iS6 :<•G,:!4:1 :.!J;.J,<J:!9 ~l.l,6:!~

':!:!'01/'~~~ il·:-'.,770 14 ~,tillS i ti j ,·l ~~ j ..... ·2. i ~-~ \ -::~,· (!g

l i i, 17:! l!l·l,:<Jci lU4,HI·

Sfi.tiJO l~·Ul!J3

lc.t,IGG 7':J,j",'l:l .fl:l.5 ; l 67' 7'2;. ( 6,G25 tlt',\16\J

J:_vJ.CJH;. 1 ~~; ·' :1 ::.u l44,LU:! 114,514 /U.l~S

This sedion, the rights of whidt nre presenPd by section 2 of tlw Land Act Hll .'), eonferred on holder,; of licctte('S ohtniued under the· repC'aled Acts of 18112 and 1865 to occupv lands for other than pn>tora! put-poses the right to acquirt• t !te lt'<' simple of the lands so held, credit being· given in the pnr..!wsc for nil moneys paid by them as rent and snrvov tees.

In eases in wltiehc pm·eha~;e hns not hecu allowed on ncconnt of the auriferous character of the land, or of portion,; thereof being- requit'ell ot· likely to be l'C(jUircd for railways or other public purposes, snd> of the licensees whose pnyments repr!'sent an amount equivalent to tlw estinmte<l Yalne per ncre of the land hnvP conthmed in occnpntion at a nom inn I nmtal of One shilling per annum pending removal of objections or derision as to pnhlk requiremeuts.

7

1926 Table B shows the tran,;adions rlming the financiAl year ended 30th June,

:-

f>urclHIJ'O:" C<'lnt-•!e~ed,

' '

TABLE B.

Art& hl!d.!l!.l:l!~d.

a r. p.

l\14 0 0

;[ :;. d.

243 0 0

Trm LANTJ AcT 1915.

Division 12, Part f.

Seetiou 17{J of thi~ Act confer,; 011 lie(•nsees under seetiou 49 of The Land A cl 18!i\J the 0xelusive right of purdmsing their holrlin:.;s at n price to be determined by the Board of Land and 'Vorks. Seven :tpplieations, representing 117 acres, were nppro1 e,] during· the tinaneial yeat· ended 30th .Tune, HJ26, and the sum of £I !7 wets rerpiyt•d.

The tmnsnctions under sections 49, 51, all(] 56 of the Land Act the fiMncial year ended 30th June, 1926, are set forth in Table C :--

1901 dui'in" "

L~·.;,\v'i Purd1>1~\hl : ,\H!l\ 'l'l"'''ed. CompletvJ. ~ J>ar-:l.t~s~J.

21

TAilLE c.

Acrt:~.

B»b:u.;:eof PUl\>hase Money

prtid bJ Jju~;•n,.-~e;,,

£ $. d.

727 ;) 7

Artil i,nl>'l-td •• d

afl.;orwur<h Purd1a~•·d.

Amoant Paid l,y Le&'«•Ci>

ruoB:tLtm:.eut Purduge }loner.

'--··--A•-res.. t: "- d,

72,96J 1 5j927 ;, 8

Section 62 of the Land Act l!llii empowers licensees of agricultural or ;;razing· allotnwnts and les,ees of ,deetion pmeha,;e allotments to register liens in tlte Crown Lands Of!kr; upon the "·enrity, and to the value of, the permallPnt improvemeuts eft("l'tcd on their holdiugs. Three iiens, eomprisin~t an area of 1,987 acre,, '"·1·e registered during the financial year ended 30th June, l921i. represent!"~· "' '"h:meeu on this kind of security. £730.

Liens registered in favour of the Board of Lands and 'Vorks comprised an an•a of 8 aeres for an amount of £8 7 .'i.

Division !i. Part 1.-Aurf(erous Lands.

This Division provides for the occnpatiou of CrowH lrmds da:;sed "Auriferous.·· Under section 86, licences for the J>lltllose of residence oe enltivation ma}' he i.sou.:d for lands not i.nduded 'vithin any city or town, and not l'xceeding :.lO acres in exteut.

Tile tmnsactions during the tinan<·ial year ended 30th ,June, 1.926, undl'e section 86 arp shown in Tnhll' f):-

Numher 1.>l Applleutli.nl~

ApprtneJ.

125

T.\HLL l ),

Act'-''~'·

2,i..fi0

Annual H~n!A.L

£ '· d. 10.) 12 0

8

PROGRESS OF SELECTION.

Tahle E shows the progress of sf'lectiou under sections 29, 42, and 59 of the Land Act 1898 and corresponding section,; of th<' Land Act 1901, sections 8 and 13 of the LaJid Act 1911, and sections 32, ~6, 50, and 8u of the Land Act 1~15. Similar particulars under sections 3~, ~2, 49, and 65 of the Land Acts 1884-1890, from the year J8g6 to the year 189/l indusive, will be found in the departmental Report fot· 1908 and to 30th June, l92l, in the Hepot·t for 1924-25:-

1921-22

1922·23

1923-24

1924-: 5

1925-26

TA-BT.!/; E.~- LAND bELEGTlW.

-,---------;-··-·--·---.------r-ud{•r l'<!ni;km 2ft, L<rlld Ar.t 113\),, and !:>edivu ::;;, Land

.tel HlOl, ,'\:td 8\'<:'LG!t :::·,::, [,,l,l<i A,•t IDL"t.

'Cl!dcri:'ecti::m~ 4?., 47, ri.t, and 59, L(lnil.llc!s l::lJ!c<.lUOl, and section 8_ Land Art 1911. 11.11ci

sr){'~ion <~.G, T.and Act l\lJ.~.

432 106,53 i

6~J0 140,9.17

36:1 87,118

2~ I i6,409

441 79,327

t:Jtd.,r ~eetlor~ 49, f>O, 54, a.ntl £9, kr•d J!cte UNS-lG(JL ;md i<>Ctiou l:l, I~and Att Hill, and «tndon tit), Land Act

l:IH•. Non-Ik~klen~(·.

t:nder Ke<:tion.i 65, 11)3, and E6.

Avyllca· Acreage. Lor.s

Approved. --1- -··-

14! 41,bU8 67 986

:13~ 70,2~2 56 R25

203 I 68,366 47 7±0

lli :J6t~J j i 39 994

91 29,230 2,070 Uii I ~-~-L---'-----'L-~-~--'----~..L..----'- .. --·--·

No.u:. ~ Thill 'l'abk; {nchrrleil Jelil"t;pr..~ :mtlt>r *'"I ion 17, J.ii!Ui .1tt l&JI,

LICENCES AND Lr~as~;s SuRin:NDEiu:n, REVOKED, OR DECLARED ExPmr:D.

The following Tnhle shows the numlwr of licences and leases ( togetl1er with areas), u11der the sections ~pecified, which were SIHI'('Hdered, revoked, or decli!red expired during the financial year ended 30th June, 1926 :-

TABLE lf~

Lieeuces-Sectlon 421 Loud Acts 1S90-189H, a.ntl Fection 47, LundAd 1901

Section 50~ Laud Act I 901 Section 59, L-J"fld Act H598, aud HCCtit_>J~ .J4,

Land Act 1901 (Residence) Section 59, Laud Act l1i98, llll!l 11ectlon 5'1,

Land Acl. 1901 (XOIH'esidence) ... Section :j6, !.and A<"t 19 1 ,5 Section 1i8, !.and Act 191:"•

Leases-Section 44, Land Act J8GO ... Scct,ion 44, Land Acl6 1890-1898, and i:\e<:tion

>9, !..and Act 1901 ~eetion tll, Land Ad 18~)1,:, and St<ction ;",6, [.and

Act 19lll (Rc•idenco) S<•ction 61, Land Act 1898, :nhl l"ectiou ;16,

La1Hl A et l90 1 (N on-residenee) Section 85, T~anri Act l890, section l-'31, !.and

Act 1901,n1Hl section 11(.), Land Act 191.1 Section ~, Laud Act 1911, a.nd section 46, La11d

Act 1915 Sf'dion 13, l"ttnd Ad l!)J l, and s~clion 5(\ Land

Art 191fi Section 37, LandAdl9li ...

No. Estilnt.

2

1;\

6

4

86

15

287

3,01B -5

1 ~4G7

49J

191

19,88~

5,900

• fncl\ldes lice•lC<'S !!HrrenderM to t<nn.hiP holder!! W ehtAin cor.ce~slo;,e nl!owed by fJUnrl A.ct'l.

9

H.-SALES OF CROWN LANDS BY AUCTION.

The principle of dcfe1TZ'd payments introduced in Pm·t V. of The Lrmd Act 188·1 has been eontimn•d and exte11ded by the provision" of Division G, Part I., of the La11rl Al't 1915, one-eighth of the price hid being pnid at the time of sale, ami the re1nnining- seven-eighths sprend on•r n. periud not cxepeding ten ye;u·s, payahie half-yearly, in instahuenb of equal amounts, bem·ing interest at the rate of £:> per centum per annum.

During the financial year <>nded 30th June, 1926, 1,353 acres were sold for £ta,881 12s. Od. Interest to the amount of £3.014 Os. lld. was paid with the pnr~lHL'!e money or instalnwnts as thf·y fell due. ·

The areH of con11try lands sold at auetiou during the financial year enderl :iOtb .June, 1U2G, wa" 7 43 ac~res, of whieh ahont 340 acres were improved, ami 40.'1 aeres nnimproved.

In consequence of some purdwsers baYing tailed to pny rlH• instalment' of their pmehase money as they became rlne, ns rcqnit"et! hy the eoutlitions of sale, steps were taken during the financial year emh·d 30th .Tune, 19:16, to forteit to tll(· Crown the amounts nh·e:uly pnid and de<· In re the sales voitl. As n result of this action, wl1ich wa' not talo.•n until after repeated noticl'' to tl1e purchasers, all area of :~la. Or. lOp., representing forty-six distinct purd>as<>s, r<"Yerte<l to the Crown, and the instalments of purelmse utonf'y and survey tees aln'nd5c paid thereon, amounting to £786 6s. 11d., were forfeited.

The rm·enne raised from snlt•s by auction is creditl'd to the Developmental Hnilways Account. For the year the total amount received was £35,6:Hi 28. 4d.

Table G ;;hows the proceeds of sales by anction of eount1·y lands dnring· cad• year from 1913. Similar pa.rtienlars for each year from the eommencement of The Lflnd Al'/1869 to the yo:u· ISH! inelnsive will he found in the <lepnrtmentnl Report for that year·, f(>r the SPYPml "nbSP<JUCnt. .reHI·s to I !100 indusi1·e in the Hcport for l!JOCI, and to 1915 iuclnsive in the Heporr for 191-l-15. and to 31st Deennher, 1:121, in the R<:'poet tor 1 i:l:l4c··:l5 :-

19.2:2.-6 months endit1g 30th June­lJnimptovOO land Improv~d ., ...

1, 6 montlu; ending ZHBt necemher~~ UnimptO\'ed land .. . Improvtd ., .. .

1923-6 months. ending Jl)th Jum­Guimproved land Improv~<d ,

6 months endh1f{ :Hst lll'ceml;eJ· Unimpnrndlo.n1l Improved 1 1

1914-6 montba end.ing 30th ..ftlnt·­

Unimpruved lanct Improve.:! .,

6 month~ enrling 31Bt Deccml,p; -U nitnpl·ovvd laud ... I mpro\"e(1 , ,

l!l25-6 months ending :<:l):lJ .hme~ C n i m pl'm·erl laiid l!r,pnwt-d ,

6 months ending 3l:s: December-·" C"uimpnn-ed lam1 ~ Improve1l ,.

1 il26-6 months ending 30lh .J nne-­Un:improved land Improved

L " ,.

167 1 24 703 H 23

18') 2 31 ~2 z s

! j(l l ll lf,(j 0 26

54.4 0 6 411 3 ;;

if.! ~ 32 1,100 3 0:2

2i5 ~ 3:! 47 0 2:1

10-'i l 32 83 0 !S

29:1 ' 20 331 1 15

llU !} 21 68 l 2~

An11nr~ ]~, ~liznl A~< m:t•· ptr Aru·.

l d. l ,;,

423 15 10 ':! 10 f l,l!H 9 I I la 0

66~ 9 7 3 13 J 610 l4 7 la 2 10

590 12 5 3 9 3 133 16 3 4 12 D

6S3 13 ~ 1 s 1 Z,Oll 18 9 4 17 9

:;s ·l 0 1 18 " 2,812 19 3 211 • J ,93! 6 ;, 7 0 4-

Uf.5 11: 0 4 3 0

356 HJ 4 5 6 8 1,063 18 0 12 ]!) 11

L003 s 2 3 8 • 061 ,; :< 1 J!) ll

498 (I 9 410 & 631 2 0 9 4 6

----~---------~-----·-

10

Trtble H shows the alienation by auction, duriug t.he financial year ended :lOth ,June, 1926, of town and country lands, and the amounts derived therefrom :­

T&BLE H.

I I I

C<:nntry L11.uda.

Areu. AmounL. Averng!!

""' Ane. I i

Avtn•;e ~"'

.<\..:N.

A, R. 1•.

609 I 4 £ ,,, d.

11,087 l;~) 10 £ '· d. 18 3

A. R. P.

743 l 5 £ s.

2,793 Hi

-; d. ' 2

£ s. d. 3 I~ 7

During the financial year euded 30th June, U•26, Closer· Sdtlenwnt lands ut an aggTegatc area of 7,633a. Or. 11 p. were sold by auction lo1· a total sum of £71 ,9il6 10s. 1 I d.

lil P,\STOHAL OCCUPATH lX. The sum of £21,:!03 '""s recd1ed dnring the Jiuandal y~nr ended :;Otlt

.Tune, 1926, for licences under section 121 of the Land Act 1915.

IV.-MALLEE. The tr:ms>tctions from lst July, 1U25, to 30th June, 1926, are as nude•·:-

Lease8 issued or approved

Licence~ i::;tmed or ilpproved

Lt•nec~ trn.n~fen ('(~ .

{

Agri(:ult.ural Lr:a:>C$ .. . Perpetual Lease~ .. . Coud1tional Purchase Lenses Select.ion Purdwse Leases

j Agriculmra.l allotmeUti:i ~ Garden, Store, Gmziug, &c.

I Con:litioHHl Pureiw.l;'oe L!·nsee ) Agw::nlrurai lf!,U:\t,e •••

I Perpe.l nall.ea.aee Sdecttou Purclm.ae L~·a::;e~

Liceuees fill•! J~~~Ht:t.~ eautelleJ for non~payment of ren~t &c .... N urn her ot' Lonnl Land Boards hr:J.J

cnsc::;: tlcnltwith ...

No. Ate\\ In Aerwi

8 5,120

17 238 263 236,.5:,5

57 1:5.56,71:! 19 26[)

,-).)0 ;;3<5,tl~H)

]0 ~,tHO

1:.7 }) 1,:2UU 41 :?l),;!j; .(;,

I ,fi2i}

On ht .Tulv, 19~6, the nreas availahk or hPI<I uudcr lease and li<:ell<'(~ wet·c as ioll•>w :- "

Availuhle unJer scctlon 121, l~nnd Aet l9L~l

A .I 'I l Q I , p I I j OrJillary ... vat ;tv e unt er Qe ec!Wn urc 1n~e A'ase ! For Soldier ...

Areas held uuder GrRzing licence, :section 121, Laud Acl 1015 f Agricultural Leal'el'< ... :

Agrlcnltnnd allotments ou~ " Perpettm! Lease:< .. , (·upie•l untler ... j Selec!ion Purclna;e Ll:a . .,psl

The Hevenue derived was as follows :­Uent:5 011 Perputuul Leases Rents on ConJitionn.l Pnn~hase Len.~es Reuta on Af;rieulturnl nllotmems Henr~ on Selection Purchase Lease~ Rents. on Grazing lkence.s, ,;cetion 121, Land Art 191.1 Va.huH-ion of impruv\lments auU cost of resumption Interest on impronlmenta and cost of rcP.umptioll PeiJaltieH and fines

Fees­Application Licenee ... Lease Mortgage Transfer •.. ..

271 5,480

131 3,!53

Rents on licences and leases other than Agriculturl\l

£ s. 310 lJ

7I) 0 3ll 0

29 0 2t> 0

859 0

~ 1 ;H7,IO.~! 32tl):lt):3

:.:, 140.,9~.1 :~ •. <;:Jfi,{iOO

1 (i~l,"! I I l Jma,Ol'O

£ 3i l

2,u80 66,209 36,3t!7

4,400

3,320 d. {)

0 u 0 0 2

.. d,

13 (i

I ' • 7 " I a

I I I

2

11

SF.cno:x' 217 AXIl 218. LANn AcT 1901. The following Tahle showil the trnnsMtions during t,he period 1st July, l !!25,

and 30th .June, 1926 :-

l"nrehai!es Complottd.

]('f) H,!Jll

haf:::.l\Ce of l'ul"l~har,c llJIH'>Y P!i!Hl.

£ s. d. l.5,i23 18 9

SECTION 22, LAND .AcT 1911 AND Sr:cTION 198 LAND AcT 1915. The table set out hc>r·euudn shows tl1e transa~tions during the pcl'ind I st

Julr, 1925, and 30th .June. 192G :-

PnrrltN>rs Cum}llete•L

B;okn::x" nf l'llre:m~o M0n0y.

£ '· d. i :;, I l ;·) Hi ,~

:'>hmHAY SETTLE~rENTs (' lrumxAL AcT l \107 ).

The 11erhein, :\lildnra, allll ~ynh Irrigation Settlements are still lwing successfully r:eYe!oped, and t(•w failures have heen •·eported. The lar·ge nHmher of returned s\)ldicrs \rith holdings in these al'en.s continue to 1nake good progr{·ss, atHl the majority are now w!'ll eotablished.

Y.··-J\l!SCELLA~EOTJS.

SEcrro:; 110, LAxn 1 C'T 1915 ( FoiD!lmLY ;jw;Tro~ 130, LAND AcT 190 1 ).

lTnder section 110 of the I>mrl Act UJl~. ::\ Conditional PtH'cha,;e Lea:·:es \Vcre lssue>d fhl' :!UZ at·l'f'S of swmnp or reclaimed htnd at HJJ annual rPnral ot £7() 17,. ~d.

Scc·rrnx 1:11, LAXD "\eT 1915. Uuriug the Hnaueial .vem· endetl 30th June, 1 i/26, 6G applie~tions under tl•is

section were granted for an area of 14:! acres.

SEol'roK l5;i, LAND Ac·r 1915.-PENALTms.

Tbc muount of penalti€·s, at the 1':1te of Fi1·e shillings per acre, recein·" du, ;ng the financial ycnr eiHled :'Oth Juue, 1926, for nou-imp1~wemcnt hy lesseE's """'' the Land ANs nf lt\6~ :nul IR6:i, nnrl int<'re'i on rents in mTt'ar, was £l,GfJ:) 11, 7d.

SEc•no~ 17!, LA;m AcT UJL''>. In this ;c·<:tion pmvisiou is made f\>r tilt' alienation uf portion,.; ol' laud not

<:x~~et•diug; '20 acres in PXtl'IJt nt a price detPt·minf>d hy appraisement. Du1·ing the frnancinl year ended :Wth lnlll'. l:J2(i, 507a. Jr. 2~p. m•I'l' oi·dered to IH· ,ojd i11 li1is manner. the total ptll'dmsc 1\Hllll'\' being £<;Li.57 ;,,. id.

~ECTJoN 2.">, LAx!J ...\eT l~if>.--I'cnw.· llLuuxGs. Duriug the iinnn .. ial year ended i\Oth .June, 19zli, 4•il sittings of L"""l Land

Boards 1\'ere held, at w••i<·Jt appli•·ations fbr land ami other business, compri,ing in nil 2,:'HJ3 snbjc•cts (inelmling· ap 1>lil'atwns for ~Jallee lands), were dealt with.

Fourteen case:.; wen_~ pttl1lid.v hennl by rile ~linister"dttriu,g ti1e fiwuwi:tl ~-t·ar ('1\ded 30th .June, l9tli.

Tahle ]!126:-

( 'U \ lllT!O\AL l'UHt 'l:L\SE LEASE. S~-:e ""''" :\ 1~. · .[.), ANo ;~46, LAND AcT 1901. sl1ow~ tlw na:t~n~·tiou:-: during the liuancial yeiU' ended .)Otii .J nne

'\H '< -•<'· ; '•'»i•:t'L<•'

TA HLl-'. I.

173 (I 0

1~1-iano:'e M P:m:!Ft,e .'.!one;; t';j.jd.

£ s. ,},

12

TnE LAND AcT 1915.-DtvrsroN 4.-PART I. Under this Division provision is made for the issue of ::lelection Purchase

Lea.~es (residential and non-residential) of selection purcha;e allotments. Tahk• .J shows the transactions under sections 8 aml 13 of the Land Act 191 I

and section~ 16 and 50 ,,f the Land Act 1 9lf> during the fillltncial year ended 3()\i, .Inn•". 1921\ :~

!\nmb~;r nt \pplk.,<tion~ ApJ>ro•·('(}:. Armunl [{c>ntaL

Sedi<~ll:-. 8 anJ 46 (Residential) ... 13 fwd 50(Nolt•reai~le1!tinl)

!121 90

Acres,

7 xto~:j :2H,59\}

£

: 1 ,Hfi~ : 69~

.~. a. 0 ()

0 9 --~·--

511 :l

CROWN GRANTS AND LEASES.

Two thousnml four hundred and tw<'ntv-four Ctown Grants, 3,473 leaseH and licences were prepared and passed from th~ head office during the financial year euded 30th .I une. 192(:.

FEES AND CJmrrFICA1'J£s.

Th(• sum of £12,;)55 9s. 11 d. was receivuil during tl1e financirrl year ended XOth .I une, 1926, for certificat.r·s rwd trausfers uwlcr the Land Acts, and for miseellaneons fees, including those paynble for grants, leases, Hml Sll''ve_v cluu:ges.

HEVENlJE,

Table K shows iu detail tile revenue contributed by th<' De)Hirtmeut to tbe T•·e~<snrv duriug the financial year euded 30th .June, 1926 :-

1'emporary Oecupalw11.

Uen t~ uuder sectio1t I2l 1 !,.and Aot 19 l ,-, ... Rf'uts nmler section 47, Land Act 1869, Divhdl){tS 6 n.nd ti 1 of Part I

I., Land Aets 1890~1901, permit:; uuJer section 3IS, Land Act 1901 ... ... . .. . ••• ... . .. >

POI'fJetnal Leuse!>, :.ectlon 80, Land Act 1898, section 63, Laud Act\ 1901, :md Sf't.:tion .S.'i, Lnnd Act l915t a.thl Auriferous licence~ ... ,-

Alienated in Fee~simple by ..4'-'ction and Defe·rred Payment$, also Re'nls 'N!ceived towards Alienation.

A. R. P.

By auction-Town lnnd 609 1 4 } " Count.ry land 743 l 5

Sundry payments on account or purehn~e in t'CtHlimple Rent:! under sections. 42 a-nU 49, IA:md Acts 1890··~l898, section I

.59, l..and Act 1898. aeetions 47, 50, 5!, nnd 106, Laud I Act 1901, Had SC('Lion 88, Land Act 1915 ... 1

Rentil anJ halaB(;C.'l of purchacle money under section 20) Land I Act HH_;9, seetion 11, Land Act 1878, sect.{ou 44, Luud Acts I 1890~J89ti, section 61, Lm~d Ar.t 18981 sections 49 and .'56, I Land .Act 1901, ;,H:r~tions 8 a.nU 13~ land Art 1911 1 and sections 46~ antl 50, Ln:ul AN 1915 ... ... ... •.. . .. l

Rents and hala,nveH nf purchase money under sections 5·-10 and 20-24, Settlement on J,mub A.ct 1893, and aeetionr; 3l8-322,! 382-3a,:;, 344, a±5, fl!Hl 3461 /.and Act 1901, aUtl secLiOll$ 267.: 268, and 2G9, !.and Act 191:1 ,., J

Penaltiet; under Heeri(,n t5.5 1 Land Act l91.5, and htter~::it l''nes fiw grnntr.,:, leaHos, lice,n(:e.s. surveys, &c. Sale of plans an~.i sundries

Amonnt eo1lected from holders of :Mu.llee l\rettt~ {cre.lited in tlw Tr€'asury to lfa.Jiee Land Ac~onnt)

Total Revenue collected by Department

£ '· d. 21,i!02 17 7

60,S72 16 6

~·----·--1

13,881 12 0

19,318 5 6

i7,.152 Ji) G

1,653 11 7 lt,a.s:, :J 11 11,605 0 f)

£ ·'· d.

82,17f) 14

no,o.o:! 13 o

Zl8,H2 9

108,616 16 2

: 327,0"!) .) ;J

18

STAFF.

Durin;;r the year Mr. A. A. Peverill retired from the position of Under Secretary for ~Lands and Mr. H. 0. Allan was appoint<'d to the vacant position.

1 Jmve the honour to be, Sir,

Your obedient servant, W. MclVEH,

Seeretary for Lands

--·-···-~··~--By Authodty; 1l J. Gttr.EN, Government Print~r. )falbourne.