VPRS 14449 Register of Applications, Advances, Section 4 Closer Settlement Act 1912

This series consists of registers of applications by settlers for advances under Section 4 of the Closer Settlement Acts of 1912 .Details given in the applications register are the number allocated, the date received, the amount applied for and the valuation. Other details give the district, the allotment and section, parish and the area of the land. Provision was made for reference to the Crown Lands Bailiff for a valuation and recommendation with the Closer Settlement Board decision regarding the granting of the application, the amount granted, any special conditions and details of previous applications with a note of the total advances made to the settler. The markings column was then used for notations regarding correspondence and file management matters.Tenants on closer settlement land lots were able to lease the land for at first a period of six years with residence and improvements conditions. The terms of this conditional purchase lease required the lessee to fence the land, destroy vermin and noxious weeds and make substantial and permanent improvements as well as keeping the property in good repair. After six years, lessees could mortgage, transfer or sub-let their land. They could also apply for a Crown Grant to purchase the land if the balance of the purchase monies had been paid.Section 4 of the Closer Settlement Act 1912 gave additional powers to the Board for improving land held under a conditional purchase lease with particular mention being made of fencing, clearing and draining the land as well as the power to grade, sow or plant the land or erect buildings upon it. Costs were to become a charge on the land and be repaid under a stated schedule. The section was given retrospective operation to 31 December 1909.