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152 excepting to officers retiring from the army or navy for the purpose of emigration, and offering land at an upset price of five shillings an acre. The result of such sales by auction was very inconsiderable. In 1835, to reduce the area of occupied lands, and as some lands had become liable to forfeiture from the persons to whom they had been granted not having been able to complete the necessary improvements, remission on the purchase of fee simple lands, or a grant in fee of three acres for every 10 surrendered were offered, and, accordingly, 316,749 acres were given up, and titles to 95,025 acres obtained in exchange. In 1841 the price of land was raised to 12 shillings and again to £1 an acre, to be sold in blocks of not less than 160 acres, with right of commonage; and this price was maintained by the Imperial land sales Act (5 and 6 Vict., c. 56) by which all lands were divided into town, suburban, or country, the latter to be sold in lots of not less than 160 or more than 640 acres, and those more distant from settlement by auction at an upset price.

In 1850 division into Classes was first made with respect to leased lands for pasture or tillage, Class A including all lands on the sea coast, or on rivers, or about towns, and Class 6 all other lands. Tillage Leases might be granted in either division for 8 years, renewable for 8 years, with right of pre-emption, and of payment for improvements on relinquishing a lease, in lots of not less than 10,000 acres at £5, or 10 shillings for 1000 acres. Under this arrangement 42,000 acres were purchased and 400,000 leased.

In 1860 the price was reduced to 10 shillings an acre, and the least quantity purchasable to 40 acres; and again in 1864, new regulations were proclaimed, and, in 1865, special regulations for mining leases. Crown