NRS-20864 | Miscellaneous application register Newcastle Pasturage Reserve [Maitland Land Board Office]

This series comprises a register containing a summary record of applications to purchase land in the Newcastle Pasturage Reserve. The register is labelled: 'Miscellaneous Application Register - District Surveyors Office'.In the 1860s, the government leased areas of land in Newcastle to coal mining companies for the purpose of mining. There was little accommodation so out of necessity the miners erected dwellings.  These occupants over a number of years petitioned the government to legalise their tenure.(1) In 1889 the Newcastle Pasturage Reserve Act, 1889 ( 53 Vic. No. 1 1889) was passed giving the occupants the opportunity to purchase the land.The register records the applications to purchase received by the District Surveyor's office. Applications required that a District Surveyor measure the blocks, the Land Board fix the values and the Chairman of the Land Board approve the application.(2)Information recorded includes: number of application; registration number; date received; land district; name of applicant; particulars of application [description of land applied for]; and  preliminary action. In all cases the preliminary action is referral to the Chairman including a date he will address the matter.In the front of the register is an alphabetical index arranged by surname of applicant. This alphabetical index can also be used as a surname index to the Register of applications to purchase Newcastle Pasturage Reserve. (3)Department of Lands circular 12/1935 states that by 31 December 1935 bound registers should be replaced by a card system.(4)Endnotes1. Gibbs, M, 1999. The Newcastle Pasturage Reserve ('The Commonage'). 1st ed. Newcastle: Newcastle Family History Society Inc. p.2.2. Gibbs, M, 1999. The Newcastle Pasturage Reserve ('The Commonage'). 1st ed. Newcastle: Newcastle Family History Society Inc. p.2.3. See NRS 20863, [AB410].4. NRS 8801, 12/1935, Department of Lands circulars [Crown Land Agent Dungog].