Settlers May Procure Ploughs

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser

8 May 1803

As an encouragement to settlers holding and cultivating grants of land, who are approved of for their industry and good conduct, His Excellency, with the approbation of His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies and War Department, in consequence of his application dated August 21st, 1801, directs the following; Notice to be given:-such approved settlers as may procure ploughs (the iron necessary for making which will be supplied by government, on being paid for in wheat) will be furnished with oxen for labour, in such proportions as the merits and exertions of the settler may require, and induce the governor to grant such lent oxen are to be paid for in wheat in the proportion of ten bushels of wheat a year, for two years, when the ox or oxen are each to be purchased for seventy bushels of wheat, otherwise to be returned to government, who will also claim them before that period, or during the time they are lent, if they are ill treated or not applied to the purpose lent viz.-

To enable the settler to procure his agricultural labour at a cheap and profitable rate, in case of the animal's death by any sudden accident, not proceeding from ill treatment, notice is to be immediately given to the superintendant of stock, who is also to be informed of any disease that may attack them, otherwise the settler will be responsible for their value. In order to give those who are industriously disposed time to get their ploughs and harness made, (leather for which will be furnished from the stores as for the iron), the distribution of oxen to those approved of will not take place before January next, when further regulations will be made.

Cows, one remove from the bengal breed, to deserving settlers with families, will continue to be occasionally lent and bartered for, on the same terms as the oxen, except their hire being 30 bushels of wheat per year, and their increase the property of the settler: the cow to be purchased at the end of two years for 85 bushels of wheat.

Applicants for these advantages are to give their names in to the Rev. Mr. Marsden, at Parramatta; T. Arndell, Esq. at Hawkebury; and to the Secretary's office at Sydney.