NRS-956 | Copies of letters to the Commissioners of Claims, appointed under 4 Will. IV no.9

Letters sent to Commissioners of Claims appointed under 4 Will. IV no.9, called "An Act for Appointing and Empowering Commissioners to hear and determine upon Claims to Grants of Lands under the Great Seal of the Colony of New South Wales"Many people held land without sufficient legal title. This was a result of the previous practice when orders for land were an everyday occurrence and more often than not the Governor simply issued an order specifying the number of acres, and no other legal record was made of the transaction. This Act, then, was an attempt to clear up the confusion thus created. The Commissioners were apparently appointed for a period of two years, as this was the period covered by the Act. In 1835 a similar Act was passed renewing the 1833 Act with certain alterations and amendments. From 24 August 1836, a letter book was commenced, which contained copies of letters to the Commissioners appointed under the 1835 Act (5 Will. IV no.21) (NRS 957). The overlap between the two series is probably because of the work still in hand at the end of the two year period. The volume is labelled 'Commissioners of Titles'.(4/6188 part; microfilm copy SR Reel 2996). 1 vol (part). Note:This description is based on Concise Guide to the State Archives of New South Wales, 3rd Edition 2000.