Volume 01: Production and resources of the northern and western districts of New South Wales, 1854 [ca. 1850-1857] - Page 274
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118
LICENSE FOR A STATION & CHARGE ON STOCK.
REGARDING THE RULES OF 2ND APRIL 1844
As the period of the publication of the projected regulations of 2nd April, each seperate [separate] Squatter was Chargeable with the uniform fee of £10 per annum, for his occupancy of the Crown lands, without reference to the extent of area, or even to the number of distinct Stations he might hold within one or more adjacent districts. The object of the regulations of 2nd April was to proportion the amount of the fee to the extent of the land and the productive qualities of the Station, or, in other words, to Commence the principle of a rent, on account of the increasing value of and demand for the Crown land. Part of these regulations was to take effect at the time, namely, to prohibit any one squatter from holding, under one license [licence], one or more stations situated in seperate [separate] districts, and from acquiring new stations, without paying an extra license [licence] for each of the same. By the remaining
regulations it was enacted that from & after 1st July 1845, one license [licence] fee of £10 Should entitle the squatter to twenty square miles of land, or, more properly, to as much land as would depasture either 4000 sheep, or 500 head of Cattle, or a mixed lot in these proportions, the twenty square miles being estimated as the average of what would be required in Australia for that purpose, & what would be generally Considered as the proper allowance, unless the Commissioners certified to the Contrary. If more land was necessary to the Squatter for additional live stock, or their probable increase for three years, it would be granted, if at the Commissioners [Commissioner's] disposal, but it was to be paid for seperately [separately] -.
RULES OF 10TH JULY
"These regulations are somewhat more favourable to the Squatter but were to continue in force only one year until the details were matured for regulations of a more permanent nature, The more important of the rules of the 10th of July are, that the £10 licence entitles the Squatter to twenty five square miles or 16,000 acres instead of 20 square miles, that 640 head of Cattle instead of 500 head, are taken as equal to 4000 sheep, horses being reckoned as Cattle, that £2. 10/- extra will be charged for every 1200 sheep { or Cattle in their proper proportion} above the 4000 depastured on any one Station, no Charge being made, however, for any number
short of a complete thousand, and the charge being reduced to £1. where the area of the Station does not altogether exceed 25 square miles; that though any existing runs have a less area than 16,000 acres, yet they will not be enlarged to their occupants, unless ascertained to be incapable of supporting 4000 sheep or 640 head of Cattle, & that even though incapable in this respect, they will not enlarged, unless there be adjoining land at the disposal of the Government."