VPRS 444 Miscellaneous Land Selection and Occupation Files

This series consists of miscellaneous land selection, occupation and correspondence files of the Department of Crown Lands and Survey (VA 538). The files are from a number of different recordkeeping systems but were transferred to archives in this series much like VPRS 5357.The land selection files document the occupation of Crown Land prior to its alienation. Included in the file is a description of the land; Parish and allotment number, section number and area; the details of the leases; name of lessee, date of lease and section of Land Act, and other matters that refer to the land such as correspondence or surveyors reports. In most cases the file cover will be the Crown Grant, showing the details of alienation from the Crown: name of grantee, date of grant and details of the land.The correspondence files contain correspondence from both and public sources. They concern any matters that relate to the administration of the land or the administration of the department. In some cases alienation of land may have occurred and grant facings are attached to the file.Selection files are files of leases or licences that terminated in the issue of a Crown Grant to the occupants. They document the occupation of the land prior to its alienation from the Crown. For example, details of leases and licences, selection number, name of lessee, surveyors reports and correspondence. All selection files end with a Deed of Grant.The correspondence files concern matters that relate to the administration of the land. Correspondence can be from both and public sources. In cases where the land has been alienated the grant facing is attached to the correspondence file.Occupation files can be divided into two file types. Temporary occupancies - annually renewable tenure with no right to purchase and long term occupancies that were guaranteed long term tenure without the right to freehold. The contents of occupation files are similar to selection files, however they do not end with a Deed of Grant.