VPRS 752 Purchase of Land Files

This series contains examples of files relating to the purchase of land for settlers under Section 20 of the Closer Settlement Act 1915 and the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act 1917. These particular examples are for discharged soldiers. Files contain applications, correspondence with the Closer Settlement Board (VA 2266), Inspectors' reports on the land and details of decisions made by the Board. The file may contain maps and/or plans of the land.Section 20 of the Closer Settlement Act 1915 provided that where a resident on land had reached a provisional agreement to purchase with the owner of the land, they could apply to the Board to ratify that agreement for them. If this occurred, the resident could then become a settler under the terms and conditions of the Act on that land. Terms and conditions were laid down with respect to the value of the land and the terms of the contracts to be entered into. Further details relating to such purchases may be found in VPRS 14436 Register of Land Purchased, Discharged Soldiers Settlement Acts, VPRS 15573 Register of Purchases of Land for Soldier Settlement and VPRS 14433 Inspector's Report Books, Acquisition of Land, Closer Settlement Acts and Discharged Soldiers Settlement Acts.