A Land Fit for Heroes?

 Alexander McMillan applied for his loan on 16 April 1921.  He gave his address at that time as Greenvale, via Boree Creek.[1]  His block of 625 acres, was a Conditional Purchase, CP 1919.18. It was in the Parish of Clyde, County  of Urana.

At this date he was share-farming a property owned by Mrs J. Harrison.[2]

On 26 October 1921, his holding was considered to be a home maintenance area, suitable for the purpose it was intended.  It was only six miles from the nearest railway station and McMillan’s prospects of success were thought to be very good.[3]

His loan was not granted until 25 March 1922 and as security  crop liens were executed by Mrs Harrison and McMillan as landlord and tenant.[4]  Their share-holding agreement was for five years and provided for the halving of the crop.  When executed however, the crop liens were taken at an amount that was too high and not correct.  A refund was to be returned to Mrs Harrison, but McMillan’s refund was to be retained.  He was asked whether he would prefer if the Returned Soldiers Settlement Branch retained the amount due (for his next repayment??) and send him the balance left over.[5]

McMillan’s Advance was repaid in full by 9 February 1925.[6]

Footnotes

[1] SRNSW: Lands Department; NRS 8050, Returned Soldiers loan files; [12/7242 No. 7369], Alexander McMillan,  Application for Loan 16 April 1921.

[2] Ibid, DJB Chapman to Director of SS 20 April 1921.

[3] Ibid, Department of Lands Report 26 October 1921.

[4] Ibid, RSS Branch Office Memorandum 6 February 1923.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid, Department of Lands Memorandum 23 March 1925.

Sources used to compile this entry:

State Records NSW: Lands Department; NRS 8058, Returned Soldiers loan files, [12/7242 No. 7369], Alexander McMillan.

National Archives of Australia: B 2455, First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers (Alexander McMillan) online: http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Imagine.asp?B=1956335