VPRS 14448 Contract Books

This series records contracts made between the Closer Settlement Board (VA 2266) and private contractors for the provision of buildings and goods to be used for settlers under the Closer Settlement and Discharged Soldiers Acts.Details given are the name of the contractor and the number of the contract, the name of the lessee, the Government Gazette reference for the contract, the details of the contract, the amount for which it was let, details of payments and the registration number and date registered. Most of the contracts recorded were for the erection and renovation of houses and the making of additions to them. Some additional contracts in Unit 1 were for the bulk supply of such farming equipment as windmills, and ploughs and for the erection of pumping plants.Section 9 of the Closer Settlement Act 1906 (Section 96 Closer Settlement Act 1915) had given the Board the power to erect dwelling houses and outbuildings and to make improvements on allotments. The value was fixed by the legislation, with the principal and interest (of five per cent per annum) to be repaid over twenty years. At the same time, the Board was able to make advances for tools and equipment or to make these available to lessees through rent or hire purchase (see VPRS 11920 and VPRS 11921)VPRS 14448 / P was previously registered as Units 1, 2 and 3 of VPRS 753 / P Records of the Closer Settlement Agencies.