Selectorreference - Land Selection in Victoria after the 1869 act.
3 stages to the land selection process.1. Application for licenceThe
'selector' having decided on the piece of vacant Crown land was required to dig a
trench, no less than 2 feet long, 6 inches wide and 4 inches deep in the direction of the
continuous sides of his selection. He was required to place 'an easily seen' post/s or
cairns of stones, showing a notice at the corners of the allottment. Once he had done
this, he could make a formal application for license and to have the land surveyed.
The survey was then made and the application considered by the Local Land Board.
If approved the selector was allowed 3 years to cultivate 10% of the land, the land also
had to be enclosed by means of a 'fence'. He also had to prove his residence on the land
for 4 and 1/2 years. During this time he had to pay rent to the Crown at 2/- per acre per
year.
2.Application for leaseIf the 'fella' had successfully cultivated 10% of his selection, and he had enclosed in and
lived on for the required period. He was permitted to apply for a lease for a 7 year
period.
This establishing a 'stronger hold to the land selected' he continued to pay 2/- per acre
per year to the Crown.
If he had paid his full rent over the 10 year period (3 years license & 7 years lease) he
will have paid a total of 20/- (1 pound) per acre to the Crown which was the purchase price
of the land.
3.Application for grant.If the selector successfully gained his lease, he could then apply for a Crown Grant at
any time by paying the balance of the purchase price of the land (1 pound per acre).
Most 'fellas' however, chose to pay off their loans over a 10 year period, some even
borrowed from banks to pay off their property. (Then they had to earn enough to pay off
the bank loan)
(things haven't changed).
Tracey - I would read it as - in the process of 'selecting' the land; once he had paid the Crown for the whole of the land. I would then see him as a land owner.
