[Cromwell Roberts Land / Prickly Pear]

Scarce map showing unleased land infested with prickly pear which Oliver Cromwell Roberts (1881-1933) made a submission to the crown to ‘free’ the specified 1000,000 acres of prickly pear within a period of about 10 years. Interestingly, the removal as stated in clause 16, of the agreement that the Government was to provide free carriage to Dulacca of the chemical arsenious chloride (not exceeding 32 pounds per acre).  Roberts an American chemist was the creator of, Improved Pear Poison.

Sold with the four page terms of the agreement.

The “Prickly Pear Destruction Act” of 1912 made provision for the Minister to make agreements with contractors for the long term lease of land heavily infested with prickly pear. The intention was to free the land of prickly pear. The land was not to be more than 100 000 acres. It could be in a number of blocks provided that no block was less than 10 000 acres. The agreement included a number of provisions: the contractor was to deposit an agreed amount as security; cost of survey was to be borne by the contractor; dates were specified for the commencement of destruction of the pear, dates when specific areas would be clear, and the date of completion. On the completion of the conditions of contract, a grant of the land in fee simple was to be made to the contractor, or if he chose, the land could be opened to closer settlement, and the proceeds, less the cost of subdivision, would be given to the contractor.