VPRS 15796 Appeals Board Files, Discharged Soldier Settlement

Under the provisions of the Closer Settlement and Discharged Soldier Settlement Acts Appeal Boards could be appointed to hear appeals against conditions of settlement. The Soldier Settlement Appeal Board was advertised throughout the State with settlers being able to appeal against the valuation of their blocks, the amount of instalments to be paid and the area allocated. This Appeal Board resulted in the appointment of a Board of Inquiry as provided for by Section 22 Discharged Soldier Settlement Act 1917 with the power to summon witnesses as granted by Section 11 of the Discharged Soldier Settlement Act 1919.It is possible that these are many of the appeals files referred to the Inquiry Board with some also being referred to the Minister. All files have the designated number, the name of the person appealing and the grounds for appeal and the parish and/or estate name. Most inside have only a sheet repeating these details with the notes of actions taken with the file and the original letter sent by the settler to register an appeal. Others may have a detailed analysis of the financial position of the settler possibly reflecting an appearance before the Inquiry Board or a detailed analysis by them.