A Land Fit for Heroes?

 The block of five acres taken up by Renus McIntosh was located on French’s Forest Soldier Settlement. He hoped to take up poultry farming on the block – a Suburban Holding No. 1916/38.  Renus applied for his Advance on 1 May 1919 and it was approved on 2 May 1919.  At this early date he was only entitled to an advance of £500. [1] On 7 September 1922 a Mrs Kate O’Keefe was occupying his block with McIntosh receiving a rental of 5/4d per week – his address was unknown.[2] 

 On 13 October 1922, Renus wrote to the Director SS Branch from the Mater Hospital Lane Cove Road where he was recovering from an operation.  In this letter he stated that he had previously asked if the Soldiers’ Settlement Branch would take over his mortgage from the Government Savings Bank.  The Soldiers’ Settlement Branch would not agree to this. [3]

 By June 1923, Renus had spent £364.19.11 out of his Advance money and by 15 May 1923, his arrears amounted to £187.8.5.  On 13 July 1923, (when he was supporting his 84 year old father and sister) he stated,

 In respect of notice of intention to forfeit, I wish to say that I have been in hospital twice (for five and seven weeks) and  am still under treatment.[4]

 By May 1926, McIntosh was still not living on the holding and there was again a tenant in occupation. Around this date he had paid back various small amounts amounting to £21.1.4. [5] It was suggested by the Bank’s conveyancer that the money taken from the rent be paid directly to the RSS Branch off McIntosh’s debt.[6]

 On 16 May 1929, a senior surveyor reported that he had visited the holding several times and it was occupied by Charles Ross,  a relative of McIntosh.  A Senior Surveyor reported that McIntosh was neither using the land, nor personally occupying it and was not available to discuss his position.[7]  He was informed that unless his arrears were substantially reduced within one month, forfeiture would be declared.[8]

By May 1930 McIntosh’s whereabouts where again unknown.  His sister attempted to make repayments for him but she was not able to continue doing so.[9]  By October 1930, Renus McIntosh was engaged in Lismore as a Foreman at the Depot of the State Monier Pipe Works.[10] Even though he requested that his employers pay £2.5.0 from his wages to the Department of Lands to cover his debts, there were problems with this because wet weather stopped work and he had an accident to his foot which caused him to be admitted to Lismore Hospital.[11]

He was put off work at the Pipe Works on 6 December 1934. 

 Footnotes

[1] SRNSW:  Lands Department; NRS 8058, Returned Soldiers loan files; [12/6856 No. 1374], Renus McIntosh, Application for Advance 1 May 1919.

[2] Ibid, Securities Department Government Savings Bank of NSW 7 September 1922.

[3] Ibid, Renus McIntosh to RSS Branch 13 October 1922.

[4] Ibid, Renus McIntosh to Under Secretary for Lands 13 July 1923.

[5] Ibid, RSS Branch Memorandum  11 May 1926.

[6] Ibid, Bank of NSW Conveyancer to Under Secretary for Lands 22 May 1926.

[7] Ibid, Senior Surveyor  Metropolitan Land Board Office Report 13 May 1929.

[8] Ibid, RSS Branch Report 27 May 1929.

[9] Ibid, RSS Branch 21 May 1930.

[10] Ibid, Under Secretary to The Manager State Monier Pipe Works 20 October 1930.

[11] Ibid, RSS Branch 9 March 1932.

Sources used to compile this entry:

State Records NSW:  Lands Department; NRS 8058, Returned Soldiers loan files,  [12/6856 No. 1374], Renus McIntosh.

National Archives of Australia:  B2455, First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers (Renus McIntosh) online: http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/Imagine.asp?B=1946754