VPRS 852 Applications for Leases, Section 7 Amending Land Act 1865

This series consists of bundles of applications periodically submitted by District Land Offices to the Department of Crown Lands and Survey in Melbourne (VA 538). These applications are for leases under Section 7 Amending Land Act 1865 for land proclaimed as available in Agricultural Areas under the Land Act 1862.Applications consist usually of the formal document under a rough sheet accompanying it. In the formal application, details given are the area and location of the land and the name, address and occupation of the applicant. The same details are given on the rough sheet with a full survey description of the boundaries and extent of the land.Under Section 7 of the Amending Land Act 1865, persons who had already taken leases under the Land Act 1862 under Sections 23 and 24 (agricultural lands) and Sections 33 and 34 (lands occupied under Residence and Cultivation Licences), where the transactions were incomplete or the term of the lease had not expired were allowed, under the Amending Land Act, an extension of time of twelve months to apply to the Board of Land and Works for the exercise of their right of selection or purchase.Purchasers, who had paid more than the minimum upset price of one pound per acre under the limited auction system of the Land Act 1860 were now able to lease an equivalent amount of land for eight years at a rental of two shillings and sixpence per acre provided that 320 acres was not exceeded. The Board was to issue certificates authorising the holders to select lands to be held under lease which concession the Amending Land Act 1865 extended for three months. Those persons who waived their right of selection were to be credited with the equivalent of four shillings per acre towards the purchase of Crown lands at any auction sale of Crown lands.