Aspects of early Melbourne

Ken had always been interested in history and in 1967, he noted the Rate Books of the City of Doncaster and Templestowe. In delving into these records thought it a good plan to produce a map of the various properties, their positions and who the owners were. The early rate books failed to show the detail Ken felt was necessary to forming a clear picture of the City. Therefore, he prepared a plan of the Parish of Bulleen

In 1840, the Parish ofBulleen was surveyed, the land being sold at auction. Later prices increased during the property boom of the 1840’s. Mr Dendy arrived in Melbourne with a letter from London allowing him to purchase any selection of land he pleased at LI .00 per acre. The Governor was surprised by this favour from Britain and Governor Gipps also felt the situation was strange - that any person with a Special Survey order could select favourable land. The rules were changed to read - land not closer than five miles from a large town. Frederick Wright Unwin in 1841 took advantage of this new rule in purchasing land in Bulleen, known as Unwin’s Special Survey. Later a new grant was issued to James Atkinson who renamed the land - the Carleton Estate (later, the central “e” was removed). By 1845, the estate was divided into 1/2 acre allotments. The tenants were Duncan Robert Laidlaw, Sidney Ricardo, James Hewish, Richard Adams and Ambrose Pullin among others.

In 1851, the whole estate was sold to Robert Campbell a merchant and gold buyer in Sydney.

Later in 1880 the remaining section of the Carlton Estate called Chatsworth Estate was sold. William Burnley had purchased the eastern portion up to Springvale Road and Doncaster Township was formed on the Doncaster Estate.

Source: Notes from a talk by Ken Smith published in 2007-12 DTHS Newsletter