VPRS 15655 File Management Cards, Wire Netting Advances

This series consists of cards used to manage files relating to wire netting advances. Details given are the application (and file) number shown as W.N. with the number, the name, address and parish of the applicant and the file management markings. A few cards have a C.N. number or the stamp 'Fences' referring to the Fences Act. Some files indicate whether the advance was in the form of cash or of rolls of wire netting.Under the Vermin Destruction Act 1890 (and previous Acts to do with the suppression of vermin such as the Rabbit Suppression Act 1880) provision was made for the payment of advances to municipalities for wire netting for effective fencing. These advances could consist of cash for the purchase of the wire netting or the provision of rolls of wire netting, arranged by the Public Works Department (VA 669). Advances to individuals were to be repaid and liens or mortgages could be taken to ensure this.These matters were further developed in the Wire Netting Act 1909 and other Wire Netting Acts subsequent to it. The Closer Settlement Act 1909 made the Land Purchase and Management Board (VA 2266) responsible for the administration of the matter with particular reference to the provision of wire netting advances to settlers covered by that Act.Only a partial set of cards are in custody.