n.
(abbreviated often to Selector), one who takes up a block of Crown land underthe Land Laws and by annual payments acquires the freehold.[320 acres to Victoria, 640 in New South Wales.]
1864. J. Rogers, `New Rush,' pt. i. p. 21:
«Free selectors we shall be
When our journey's end we see.»
1866. `Sydney Morning Herald,' Aug. 9:
«The very law which the free selector puts in force against thesquatter, the squatter puts in force against him; he selectedupon the squatter's run, and the squatter selects upon hisgrazing right.»
1873. Ibid. p. 33:
«Men who select small portions of the Crown lands by means ofland orders or by gradual purchase, and who become freeholdersand then permanently wedded to the colony.»
1873. A. Trollope, `Australia and New Zealand,' vol. i. p. 33:
«The condition of the free-selector – – that of ownership of apiece of land to be tilled by the owner – – is the one which thebest class of immigrants desire.»
1875. `Melbourne Spectator,' June 12, p. 70, col. 2:
«A public meeting of non-resident selectors has been held at Rushworth.»
1884. Marcus Clarke, `Memorial Volume,' p. 85:
«A burly free selector pitched his tent in my Home-Stationpaddock and turned my dam into a wash.»
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Colonial Reformer,' c. xii. p. 116:
«No, no; I've kept free-selectors out all these years,and as long as I live here I'll do so still.»