This section gives an indication of population densities in the Towamba valley in the latter half of the 1800's and early into the 1900's. From the first selection of land by J.Walker Jnr., clearing and selecting by settlers gradually increased the valley's population.
Population numbers and some place names have changed dramatically over the century.

The place-name Towamba is an interesting one. If it is Aboriginal, I can find no word that gives a meaning or matches the pronounciation. Some of the elderly residents of Towamba, when interviewed, pronounced it as 'Toowamba'. A copy of one old map which unfortunately has been lost, had the word 'Tuam' at the head of, what is now called, the Towamba River. Further investigation was fruitless. Much later I put the word 'Tuam' into Google and it came up with the place-name Tuam as being in Scotland.
There is a strong Scottish heritage among the early settlers in the Towamba district. On the 'Valley Schools' page there is an image of the application document signed by those early residents of the district who took on the responsibility of providing support for the establishment of a school for the village. If you look closely you will notice that the Parish is designated as 'Emily' but it is, in fact, the Parish of Imlay. If you say the word Imlay with a thick Scottish accent you will hear Emily.



After much research I have found the origin of the place name, 'Towamba'

'The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser'
Wed 24 Apr 1907
NATIVE NAMES IN THE SOUTH-EASTERN DISTRICT.
According to the researches of the Department of Crown Lands, the meanings of place-names in the Monaro and Twofold Bay districts are as follow: - 'Monaro,' a breast, so-called on account of the cone-shaped pinnacles on the plains in the district; 'Murri' (Murray), make haste - there is much evidence that the river, in its upper reaches, was called by the aborigines 'Murri,' prior to receiving its official name from Captain Sturt, who called it after Sir George Murray, Secretary of State for the Colonies in 1828-30; Hamilton Hume, the discoverer of the Upper Murray, bestowed his own name on the stream in 1824; 'Kiah,' a beautiful place; 'Cooma,' a swamp or lake; 'Numeralla,' valley of plenty; 'Murrumbidgee,' a large water, plenty of water; 'Jindabyne,' a valley or gorge; 'Myalla' (corrupted from 'Pyalla'), a big talk, something equivalent to a 'conference of Premiers'; 'Bunyan,' the nesting-place, or rendezvous of pigeons; 'Bimnul,' an aboriginal cemetery, a place of burial; 'Cobra,' a large mountain; 'Jingerah,' a very large mountain, one difficult of ascent; 'Towamba,' or 'Terrambera,' a place where much lightning had been seen; 'Bombala,' meeting of rivers; 'Bibbenluke,' the meeting of waters; 'Bega,' a large camping-ground; 'Tathra.' a wild cat.


Below (No. 146) William Walker Jnr. purchased a portion of land called Tuamba. (It seems that large parcells of land were called 'Runs'.) So it was officially called the Tuamba Run.
The conclusion I have come to is that Tuamba became in time, Towamba. Editor



The village of Sturt lies on the south side of the Towamba River, the north side of the river was locally referred to as Towamba. In the 1970's, departmental officers conducted field trips and collected names for the Board's consideration. The 1975 GNB Agenda states that the Village of Sturt is "locally known and signposted as Towamba, the local post office is Towamba and the name also is shown on the 1:250 000 Mallacoota map."
As a result the name 'Village of Sturt' was discontinued on 30 May 1975 and the name Towamba subsequently assigned. See attached gazette notice. Geographical Names Board

(All spelling in these articles are as in the original document.)

IN THE BEGINNING.......

'Launceston Advertiser'
7 March 1839
New Squatting Act. -We are at length enabled to lay before our readers the heads of the bill which will be laid before the Legislative Council at its ensuing session -the late hour at which we arrived at the necessary information compelling us to postpone our remarks thereupon for the present. It is proposed that any unlicensed person occupying Crown Lands, within the limits of location, shall be liable to a penalty of £10 for the first offence, £20 for the second offence, and £50 for every subsequent offence. The same restrictions to be applied to land beyond the district, after a day to be named. Any person cutting, splitting, sawing, or removing any timber, the produce of Crown Lands, whether within or without the boundaries, to be liable to the same penalty. Any person forging or altering any lease or document from the Government on the subject, to be transported for seven or imprisoned for four years. Any Justice before whom any person holding a license shall be convicted of any offence, rendering him unfit to hold a license, may declare the license to be void; and if, within ten days, the party does not quit possession of the land lie occupied under the license, the Commissioner of Crown Lands is to take possession of the same, with the improvements, and expel such person therefrom, and drive off and impound any cattle there may be thereon. Every licensed person, occupying Crown Land, to make a quarterly report of all stock on the said land, with full particulars of the proprietorship, brands, &c. The Crown Lands adjacent to and beyond the limits for each aforesaid, shall be divided into districts, and for each district some fit and proper person, being a Justice of the Peace, and not holding any stock or lands in his own or any adjacent district, shall be appointed, who shall be called the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and so many men, mounted, armed and accoutred as he may deem necessary, as and for a border police, to be under the orders of and attached to the said Commissioner. It shall he the duty of each Commissioner to be constantly within his district, except when unavoidably absent therefrom for temporary and necessary purposes in the performance of his duty, under the proposed Act, or under process of any competent Court in the Colony, that he shall make perambulations of his district, and visit the several stations therein, as occasion may require; and that as often as any complaint shall be made to him by any such licensed person, that any disputes have arisen, he shall, being so required, visit such stations and enquire into the matter of such complaint, and shall, being so required to do by the parties, or either of them, in writing, hear and finally determine the matter of the said complaint; and that he shall fix and determine the boundaries between parties occupying lands as aforesaid, where it can be conveniently done, and that he shall enregister every such determination, and shall and may enforce the same by removing the stock of any licensed person so found, and determined by him to be encroaching as aforesaid in the said district; and that he shall and may remove, and impound the cattle of any unlicensed person within the district. Whenever the Commissioner of any district shall consider the circumstances of any emergency to require it, he may summon and call to his assistance such and so many persons within his district, mounted and armed in such manner as he shall require to attend upon and aid him in the suppression of any attack or aggression which he shall have reasonable grounds for believing to be contemplated, or which shall be in course of commission, by or against any person whatsoever, in or near to his district, and for the purpose of pursuing and bringing to justice any person whom he shall have reasonable cause to believe to have committed any felony; and that every person so summoned and attending shall be allowed five shillings a day during the time he shall be necessarily in attendance upon the Commissioner; and that any person who shall refuse or neglect to do or perform, any lawful act which the said Commissioner shall require him to do or perform, he shall for every such offence forfeit and pay the sum of £5, and if he be the servant of another, he shall also forfeit any wages which may be due to him for the time he shall be absent from his employment, in and about his trial for such offence; and being a felon under sentence of transportation, he shall be deemed thereby to have committed a misdemeanour, and shall be punished accordingly. The Commissioner and those under his orders to be entitled to receive rations at any station upon payment of a sum to be fixed annually by the Justices, any person refusing to supply them to forfeit £5. A pound to be appointed to each district and the provisions of the Impounding Act to be declared applicable. Every licensed person to deliver to the Commissioner a list of the persons employed by him. Every licensed person to have a distinct brand, and every person coming into the district whose brand shall be the same as the brand of any other persons, to alter the same within one mouth, or pay five shillings for every beast branded therewith. The Commissioners to destroy all unbranded beasts one year old. One penny to be paid as a tax for every sheep, three half pence for every head of cattle, and for every horse kept beyond the boundaries. When any person shall refuse or neglect to pay the same, the Commissioner may levy on the cattle or sheep. All sums levied under this Act, to be applied to the support and establishment of a Border Police. The Act 2 Victoria No. 19 to be repealed. There are many details in the Act which we have not alluded to, but the above are the principal provisions.- Herald, Feb 9.

'The Sydney Morning Herald'
30 September 1845
AUCKLAND (Parish of) - 46. 50 acres, at Yuglamah, on the Towamba River, between Moneroo and Twofold Bay. Upset price £1per acre.

Claims to Leases of Crown Land
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Sydney, 30th September, 1848

'Sydney Morning Herald' No date. [Perkins Papers]:
Claims to leases of Crown Lands beyond the settled districts are published under the name of Deas Thomson and calls for objections, if any, to be lodged…
72: Imlay, George, Bega (20,000 acres)
73: Imlay, Peter, Cobargo (400 acres)
74: Imlay, Peter, Murrah (1,000 acres)
75: Imlay, Peter, Double Creek (10,000 acres)
143: Walker, William, Kameruka
145: Walker, William, Yacklama (50, 760 acres
146: Walker, William, Tuamba (35, 200 acres) (Tuamba probably Towamba)

GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER IO, 1848.
CLAIMS TO LEASES OF CROWN LANDS BEYOND THE SETTLED DISTRICTS.
(From the Government Gazette.)
MANEROO DISTRICT.
Colonial Secretary's Office, Sydney, September 30 -His Excellency the Governor directs it to be notified, for the information of all persons interested, that in pursuant of her Majesty's Order in Council, of the 9th March, 1847, the undermentioned persons have demanded leases of the several runs of Crown Land, particularised in connexion with their respective names.
Persons who object to any of these claims, either wholly or in part, should lodge caveats at this office within two months from the present date specifying the lands to which their objections extend, and the grounds on which their objections are based.
It is to be distinctly understood that the Government does not pledge itself to the issue of a lease in any case until due enquiry has been made into the validity of the claim, and whether or not it may be necessary to reserve any portion of the land claimed, for any of the public purposes contemplated in the Order in Council.
By His Excellency's command,
E. DEAS THOMSON.

No. 143
Walker. William
Name of run - Kameraka
Estimated Area - 192,640 Acres
Estimated Grazing Capabilities - 6,400 Cattle, 20,000 Sheep
Northern boundary, commencing at the north-east point of the Bega river, where the Government reserve of 3 miles from the sea coast strikes that river, thence along the south side of the said river until it is joined by the Benbooka River; thence south along the Benbooka River 2½ miles to the Bomlara old hut creek; thence crossing the river in a north-west direction to Bombara old hut and yard; thence in a similar direction along a dividing range to the north-east point of Numbugga fence, about 6 miles; thence along the north side of the said fence 3 miles to base of the Maneroo dividing range; western boundary, commencing at the north-west point of the Numbugga fence running south along the base of the Maneroo dividing range, round the base of the Benbooka Peak; thence north-west until it joins the road going up Nimitybelle Mountain from Benbooka; thence south round the base of the Maneroo dividing range to the road going from Tantawangala to Hibberd's Inn; southern boundary, from the road going from Tantawangala to Hibberd's as above, continuing in an east direction round the base of a branch of the said Maneroo dividing range past Woolumba Peak 2 miles or thereabouts to the west side of the sea coast range; eastern boundary, along the west side, commencing from the south-east point of the southern boundary as above, in a northerly direction along the base of the sea coast range, until it reaches the Government reserved line of 3 miles from the sea; thence north to the north-east point of the north boundary as above described; on the north boundary Mr. P. Imlay and Mr. McPhee are the occupants. The Maneroo range is the boundary on the south and west side, and the sea coast range on the east side.

No. 144
Walker. William
Name of Run - Stockyard
Estimated Area - 12,800 Acres
Estimated Grazing Capabilities - 3,000 Sheep
Northern boundary, commencing at a point about 2 miles north of the Stockyard old hut or Mataganah running in an easterly direction about 4 miles to the ranges; western boundary commencing at the north-west point of the above northern boundary running south-westerly and parallel with the Mataganah River for a distance of about 4 miles; southern boundary commencing at the south-west point of the above western boundary running easterly crossing the Mataganah River at a place where the road crosses from Mataganah or the stockyard to Yaclama; thence continuing easterly across the Honysuckle Flat Creek, and thence easterly for about 2 miles to the ranges eastern boundary commencing at the south-east point of the above south boundary, running north crossing the road from Panbula to the stockyard or Mataganah, to the north-east point of the north boundary as above described Mr. Benjamin Boyd, trespassing; on the north portion of the above run. No other near neighbours the boundaries being high mountains.

No. 145
Walker. William
Name of Run - Yacklama
Estimated Area - 5,760 Acres
Estimated Grazing Capabilities - 14,000 Sheep
Northern boundary commencing at the S.W. point of the south boundary of the stockyard, or Mataganah run, running E. along the said south boundary for a distance of about 4 miles; western boundary commencing at the N.W. point of the N. Boundary as above, running S.W. parallel with the Mataganah River, until the said line strikes the Towamba river, about 2 miles about the junction of the Mataganah and Towamba rivers; southern boundary commencing at the S. W. point of the W. boundary , running S.E. about 5 miles along the N. side of the Towamba River; eastern boundary commencing at the S.E. point of the S. boundary, run N.E. along and parallel with the Mataganah River until it strikes the N.E. point of the N. boundary on the N. is the Stockyard Run; on the W. Mr. Hibberd and Mr. Boyd's purchased land at Yacklama; on the south Mr. Hibberd; on the E. mountain ranges.

No. 146
Walker. William, Junior.
Name of run - Tuamba.
Estimated area - 35,200 acres.
Estimated Grazing Capabilities - 1,000 Cattle, 2,000 Sheep
Northern boundary commencing on the Tuamba River 2 miles or thereabouts, from Puricat Hut, running in an east direction about 4 miles toward the Jingerry Mountains, and from the same point on the Tuamba River in a west direction, until it runs into the Wag Wag ranges. Western boundary commencing at the north-west point of the above; north boundary running south nearly parallel with the Tuamba River, until its junction with the Wag Wag Creek, continuing along the south branch crossing the road from Towamba, to Mr. Lett's to rise of the said branch in the Wag Wag Mountains; thence south about 2 miles across the said mountains to the Puricat Creek, crossing that creek about 3 miles above the Puricat Old Hut, continuing south about 2 miles until joining the ranges. Southern boundary commencing at the south-west point of the above west boundary, running east round the base of the ranges to the foot of Mount Imlay; thence down both sides of the Towamba River for 6 miles or thereabouts; eastern boundary commencing at the S. E. point of the above south boundary running in a north-west direction, along the base of the ranges to the Jingerry Mountain, until joining the north-east point of the north boundary. N.B. - a large portion of the above ascribed run, is extremely mountainous and scrubby, and unavailable. Mr. Hibberd occupies the adjacent lands to the north divided by high ranges and Mr. Lett westward; mountains are on south and east sides.

December 19, 1859
'Illawarra Mercury '
Sturt. - Notice was given on the 9th Inst., by the Department of Lands, that a site has been fixed upon for a village to be called Sturt at the undermentioned place, and that copies of the approved plan have been deposited for public information at the Surveyor General's Office, Sydney, and at the Police Office, Eden, viz Sturt, situated on the Towamba River, about 15 miles from Eden, on the road from Monaro to Eden.
J. Black

'The Sydney Morning Herald'
Monday 3 September 1860
NEW MAP OF ROUTES TO KIANDRA.-We have just had laid before us a large, neatly lithographed outline map of the nearest routes to and from the Snowy River by way of Merimbula and Twofold Bay. It is published by Messrs. De Gruchy and Leigh, of Melbourne (having been obviously compiled from New South Wales and Victorian Government maps) and is deserving of the favourable attention of those desirous of possessing themselves of a reliable carte du pays for their guidance in journeying to the auriferous region of Kiandra in the approaching spring. Besides exhibiting the coast line from East Boyd to Bega River, this sketch (upon which the various road lines are conveniently distinguished by colours) also comprehends the whole extent of open forest country, and portion of the Maneroo table land lying between the coast and "Table Top" on the Snowy. The two principal road tracks, respectively converging from Merimbula and Eden to Bibenluke, are laid down with the creeks to be crossed, the elevations of the different eminences to be passed, and likewise the various distances, &c.; all of which cannot be but useful to intending travellers. The southern of these two roads - that from Eden to Kiandra - is set down as being not less than 159 miles in length. It commences at Eden, and then runs northward for about twelve miles, until it meets a short crossroad from Merimbula at Pambula, whence it turns off nearly due west over a hilly country, by Thomson's Inn, Windham, Mataganah River, Yuglamah, and up the course of the Towamba River, until it crosses the Great Range, a few miles east of the Dragon Inn, at Cathcart ;- from which place the line is continued westerly, for about eight or nine miles, to Bibenluke. The position of all the houses of accommodation on this road is more or less distinctly indicated by the map. The present more northerly line of road, from the coast to Kiandra - beginning Merimbula, and ending at Bibenluke - is stated by this man to be (in its whole extent) only 143 miles; - sixteen less than the other. This road is shown as running W.N.W., for the first six miles or so, after leaving the ferry, to a house of accommodation: near which this line is joined by a cross-road from Panbula. Passing on, in a more northerly direction, the track leads to the Wolumla dairy, twelve miles from Merimbula. From Wolumla to Bibenluke the direction of the road then varies considerably. It passes by the Twofold Bay Pastoral Company's stations, by (or very near to) Condala house, by Wilson's Inn, on Tantawangla Creek, over the mountain of that name, over some granite ranges beyond, and lastly over the great range near thirty-five mile tree. Thence the road trends nearly due west to Bibenluke. At this place (where, as it has been intimated, the Eden and Merimbula roads meet) the bearing at "Table Top," at Kiandra, is north 37 degrees west; and there are inns, houses of accommodation, and stores all along the road to the Snowy River, a distance of eighty-three miles. The map shows another and shorter route to the diggings from the Wolumla Dairy, on the Merimbula road, proceeding thence first to Kamaruka, six miles, and thence by a dray road to the foot of Nimitybelle mountain. The bearing of Nimitybelle from Kamaruka is west 36 degrees north, and there is a direct line to Nimitybelle and Kiandra, on which a new road is stated to be now making which will make the distance from Merimbula not more than one hundred and twenty miles. In the corner of the map is reduced sketch which accurately shows the position of the Snowy River diggings. From this it is made very apparent that the approach to the Kiandra diggings from the Sydney side is, in every way, the most convenient one, and especially as regards the comparative distance. The price of the map reasonable -one shilling - and it will doubtless command a ready sale.

October 2, 1860
'Twofold Bay and Maneroo Telegraph'
CROWN LANDS SALES.
Sales of Crown Lands will be held at the undermentioned place on the day stated.
EDEN (at the Police Office) on MONDAY, 12th NOVEMBER.-Suburban Lots. County of Auckland: 25 lots (2 acres to 3 acres 2 roods 25 perches) at Sturt, on the Towamba River, about 12 miles south-westerly from Eden, parish of Towamba, allotments 1 to 6 of section 1, 1 to 8 of section 2, 1 to 7 of section 3, 1 to 4 of section 4. (Upset price, £3 per acre.)-Town Lots. County of Auckland: 26 lots (2 roods each) in the village of Sturt, parish of Towamba, allotments 1 to 10 of section 7, 1 to 3 and 8 to 10 of section 8,1 to 10 of section 9. (Upset price, £8 per acre.) See Government Gazette, No. 177.

November 2, 1861
'The Sydney Morning Herald'
EDEN, TWOFOLD BAY.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
OCTOBER 20.- Application having been repeatedly made to the Minister for Lands for eligible agricultural patches to be surveyed, has invariably been met with the reply that plenty of land has been surveyed, and is now open for selection, but not taken up; therefore, no more can be surveyed until that is disposed of. In this particular instance "Towamba," or Sturt, is alluded to, but perhaps the honorable the Minister for Lands is not aware of the reason. I will, therefore, endeavour to enlighten him and state the reason, viz., that the land surveyed is not worth 1s. an acre, and no doubt the surveyor into whose hands it was placed for surveying, acting under the influence of his intimate friends - the proprietors of a large squatting company, well known as the Twofold Bay Pastoral Association - has pronounced that no eligible land for cultivation exists in the Towamba district. For what reason? To oblige his friends, who hold Towamba under a squatters licence. I beg to challenge this surveyor on this point, and to say that if he was not so intent on obliging his friends, that thousands of acres in this selfsame Towamba, or Sturt, are suitable for the purposes applied for, but of course withheld, and reported as not eligible by this district surveyor and his friends, viz., the Mammoth Squatting Company of Twofold Bay. Hence the withholding of the lands from intending purchasers. So much for influence at headquarters.
Another instance of the influence of this said Squatting Company and their coadjutor, is that, having the fear of the Land Bill before them, and knowing that free selection cannot be made within two miles of any town or village, they have induced the Government to proclaim townships on their immediate runs, viz., Kameruka, Burbooka, &c., so that they will, in spite of Mr. Robertson's Land Bill, hold their stations quite secure. In fact, Mr. District Surveyor is now laying out a town on their Benbooka run, instead of, as generally thought, farms. They, well knowing that if measured for agricultural purposes their beautiful runs of Burbooka and Kameruka would be cut up and greedily purchased, as was the case with the farms sold at Bega on the 25th instant, a statement of which I hereunto annex, which ought to be a convincing proof to the Government that any really eligible land surveyed would always meet with bona fide purchasers. Certainly, not in scrub and ranges inaccessible.

New South Wales Government Gazette
Tue 19 Sep 1865 [Issue No.197]
NOTICE OF HEARING.
NOTICE is hereby given, that the following Claim for a Deed of Grant will be ready for examination by the Commissioners appointed for that purpose, under the Act of Council, 5th William, IV, No. 21, at the expiration of two months from this date, before which day any caveat or counter claim must be entered at the Office of the Commissioners, 9, Bligh-street. Due notice will be given of the day appointed for hearing.
No. 1477. Robert Tooth, and Representatives of Edwin Tooth, deceased.
220 acres, Parish of Pericol, County of Auckland, on Pericol Creek, portion of Tuamba Run.
Mr. Edwin Tooth, being dead, it is referred to the Commissioners to ascertain and report to whom the grant of this land (purchased by Messrs. R, and E. Tooth) should issue.
By direction of the Commissioners,
W. G. PENNINGTON,
Secretary.
Court of Claims,
21st August, 1865.

New South Wales Government Gazette (Sydney, NSW : 1832 - 1900),
Thursday 8 February 1866
TRANSFER OF RUNS.
IT is hereby notified, that the undermentioned Runs have, with the sanction of the Government, been transferred, as hereunder specified, during the year ending 31st December, 1865.
A. O. MORIAHTY,
Chief Commissioner of Crown Lands.
NAME OF RUN
Tuamba
FROM WHOM TRANSFERRED
Monaro District R. Tooth and late E. Tooth
TO WHOM TRANSFERRED
Sir W. M. Manning &
T. S. Mort

Extract from: New South Wales Gazetteer and Road Guide
compiled by Robt. P. Whitworth. 1866
STURT (Co. Auckland), is a small agricultural village on the Towamba River, lying about 10 miles W. of Eden. Sandstone and tap rock.
Towamba (or Kiah) river (Co. Auckland) is an important stream, rising in the E. slope of the S. coast range, opposite Cathcart, and flowing in a E.S.E. direction into the S. arm of Twofold Bay, after a tortuous course of 40 miles through fine pastoral, and, to some extent, agricultural country. The township of Boyd stands near this river at its estuary, and it is fed by the Perica, Wog Wog, Jingo, and Matagana creeks. It drains, with these tributaries, an area of about 300 square miles. The geological formation is granite, passing into porphyry, and traversed by quartz dykes.

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954)
Sat 26 Sep 1868
THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
RESERVES FROM LEASE.-The following portions of land have been withdrawn from pastoral lease, for the purpose of sale:
Monaro District-100 acres, county of Auckland, parish of Imlay, on Jingo Creek, portion 26; a portion of the Tuamba run, under promise of lease to Sir William Montague Manning and Mr. Thomas Sutcliffe Mort.

'The Bega Gazette and Eden District or Southern Coast Advertiser'
4 December 1873
APPRAISEMENT OF RUNS.
By the courtesy of the Commissioner we are enabled to furnish early intimation of the annual value placed upon fifteen runs in the Manaro District, appraised at Bega, 1st December, 1873. Mr T W. Harriott Commissioner of Crown Lands for New England, Clarence and Macleay Districts, acting as sole appraiser for each Run.
Bellowra - £30
Big Badger - £25
Bredbatowra - £10
Brogo - £12
Cobargo - £10
Dry River - £12
Kameruka - £10
Ketchancary - £20
Narira - £10
Towamba - £20
Stockyard - £10
Wauley Creek - £20
Wundella - £10
Yaclama - £12
Yourie - £18

'New South Wales Government Gazette'
Mon 18 Oct 1880 [Issue No.405 ]
Department of Lands,
Sydney, 18th October, 1880.
VILLAGE OF STURT.
HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, directs it to be notified that in pursuance of the provisions of the Crown Lands Alienation Act of 1861, the following portions of Crown Land are declared to be set apart as sites for the village of Sturt, and of suburban lands to be attached thereto.
JAMES HOSKINS.
Village Boundaries of Sturt.
County of Auckland, parish of Towamba, area about 122 acres. Commencing on the north side of Towamba-street, at a point where the west side of Manning-street intersects that street; thence bounded on the west by the west side of Manning-street bearing south to the south side of Genoa-street thence on the south by the south side of that street bearing east till it is intersected by the south prolongation of the east side of a lane forming the east boundaries of allotments Nos. 4, 3,2, and 1, of section 19; thence on the east by the east side of that lane and its prolongation passing through section No. 10 north to the north side of Towamba-street aforesaid; and on the north by the north side of that street west, to the point of commencement.
Suburban Boundaries of Sturt.
County of Auckland, parish of Towamba, area about 260 acres. Commencing on the south bank of the Towamba River, at a point where the west side of Manning-street meets that river; thence bounded on part of the west by the west side of Manning-street south to the south side of Thompson-street; thence on the south by part of the south side of that street east to the west side of Albert-street; thence on the remainder of the west by part of the west side of that street south till it meets the north-westerly prolongation of the south-west side of a road forming the south-west boundaries of sections Nos. 29 and 28; thence bounded on the south-west by that prolongation and the south-west side of that road south-easterly till it meets the prolongation of the south-east side of a road forming the south-east boundary of section No. 27; thence bounded on the south-east by that prolongation and the south-east side of that road north-easterly to the Towamba River aforesaid ; and thence bounded by that river upwards, to the point of commencement.
Note.-But Exclusive of the town lands, the boundaries of which have been notified this day.
[Ms. 80-9,829]

'The Manaro Mercury, and Cooma and Bombala Advertiser'
Wednesday 1 March 1882
AT THE LAND OFFICE, EDEN.
On Wednesday, 8th March. Country Lots.- County of Auckland, parish of Nungatta.
Lot A, portion 13, 80 acres, on the left bank of Nungatta Creek and the road from Nungatta to Towamba, adjoining the south boundary of Alex. Weather head's portion No. 10 of 65 acres. Exclusively of a road 1 chain wide. Within the Towamba Gold Field, proclaimed 10th June, 1881, open to conditional purchase. Last offered 30tb May, 1877.
Lot B. portion 37, 80 acres. Lot C. portion 38. 4O acres Lots B and C are on the left bank of Nungatta Creek and the road from Genoa to Towamba, between Alexander Weatherhead's portions No. 36 of 80 acres and No. 39 of 80 acres. Exclusively of a road 1 chain wide. Within the Towamba Gold Field, proclaimed 10th June, 1881, open to conditional purchase. Last offered 28th November, 1877. Upset price. £1 5s. per acre.
On Wednesday, 22nd March, Country Lots.- County of Auckland, parish of Nalbaugh.
Lot A, portion 4, 40 acres, on the right bank of Wog Wog River, on the road from Towamba and Eden where it crosses the river, and about ½ mile south westerly from Charles Spears's conditional purchase of 40 acres. Exclusively of 6 road 1 chain wide. Within the Towamba Gold Field, proclaimed 10th June, 1881, open to conditional purchase. Last offered 23rd September, 1872. Parish of Coolangubra.
Lot B, portion II, 40 acres, on the right bank of Basin Creek, adjacent to the south boundary of John Hyde's conditional purchase portion No. 3 of 320 acres on the right bank of the Towamba River. Exclusively of a road 1 chain wide. Within the Towamba Gold Field, proclaimed 10th June, 1881, open to conditional purchase. Last offered 28th September, 1874. Upset price, £l 5s. per acre.

'The Manaro Mercury, and Cooma and Bombala Advertiser'
8 March 1882
AT THE LAND OFFICE, EDEN.
On Wednesday, 12th of April. Country Lot- County of Auckland, parish of Kanoonah.
Lot A, portion 16. 119 acres, on the right bank of Towamba River and the road from Cathcart to Panbula, adjoining the north boundary of J. Spear's conditional purchase portion No. 15 of 69 acres. Exclusively of a road 1 chain wide. Forfeited conditional purchase of Jas. Spears. Within the Towamba Gold Field, proclaimed 10th June, 1881, open to conditional purchase. The up set price is exclusive of the value of improvements of £1 an acre. Last offered 7th Feb , 1877. Upset price, £2 5s. per acre.

29 Nov 1882
'The Bega Standard and Candelo, Merimbula, Pambula, Eden, Wolumla, and General Advertiser'
Towamba Land Sale.
The sale of the Towamba Estate has been pretty largely advertised in all the colonies, and yesterday was the eventful day. The proceedings were commenced by a general invitation to a sumptuous lunch, prepared by Mr. Suttle, as his last effort here in that line, and set out in the School of Arts Hall. The seats of honor were occupied by Messrs. Stiles, Rixon, and Manby, and the formalities of a public luncheon were forgotten, and all went heartily into the business before them, which may be briefly summed up as a "turkey and champagne." Just as a sort of signal was given for retiring, Mr. Peden proposed the health of the entertainers, Sir William Manning and Mr. Stiles, and referred to the importance of the event, the subdivision of a large estate, and the possibility of its finding its way into the hands of a number of industrious men whose operations would be a benefit to the community.
Mr. Stiles replied thanking those present on behalf of Sir William Manning and himself; stating that it was Sir William's wish when he assumed his judicial duties, that he should part with all his property; that he, Mr. Stiles, was not a buyer, although he would like to be able to buy the lot; and that he hoped the buyers of Towamba farms would be as successful as those had been who had previously bought farms from his firm. Mr. Neilley proposed the health of the auctioneers,' Messrs. Rixon and Macleod, as a tribute to the good general-ship they had displayed in keeping this sale before all the colonies, and Mr. W. Rixon briefly returned thanks reserving his wind for the more arduous duties he was presently to undertake.
At about 2 o'clock, Mr. Rixon took up his stand, and after reading the conditions of sale, he enlarged upon the advantages of the property about to be offered; on its proximity to the port of Eden; and its well-known grazing capabilities; the value of the wattle bark on the land, and started with lot 19 on the plan; 586 acres. This was started at £3, and rose up by half crowns and shillings to £4, at which rate it was knocked down, to Mr. Jas. McPaul.
Then followed lot 18, 320 acres, adjoining, and this found a purchaser in Mr. P. Quinlivan. Lot 17, 228 acres, fell to Mr. G. P. Kerrison's bid at £4 per acre. Lot 1, 220 acres, on west side of Perico Creek, was the next lot submitted. It is said to be a very superior lot, and adjoins Mr. J. Alexanders properties. It. was keenly competed for and it bowed to Mr. James Hutton's bidof £7.Mr. Hutton announced that the buyer was Mr, J. Alexander. Lot 2, 428 acres, was next offered, and was bought by Mr. W. J.Moorhead, at £2 7s 6d per acre. Going north to Burragate, lot 12, 360 acres, freehold, fell to Mr. Henry Schubach, at £2 17s. 6d. ; lot 7, 320 acres, to Mr. J. Robinson, at £3 ; lots 9 and 10 448 acres, to Mr. John Brown, at £311s. lot 11, to Mr. J. H. Martin, at £3 17s.

'Freeman's Journal'
Saturday 9 December 1882
Towamba Land Sale. - From Bega we have received particulars of the sale of the Towamba Estate, conducted by Rixon and Macleod. The proceedings were commenced with a lunch and the business was started at 2 o'clock. Mr. Rixon enlarged upon the value and the advantages of the property, on its proximity to the port of Eden, and its well-known grazing capabilities. The first lot, 588 acres, was knocked down at £4 per acre to Mr. Jas. McPaul. 320 and 228 acres were sold at the same price, and 1200 acres on the west side of Perico Creek, a very superior lot, was sold at £7 to Mr. J. Alexander. On the whole satisfactory prices were obtained for all the lots, and some 2770 acres were passed in for private sale.

'The Bega Gazette and Eden District or Southern Coast Advertiser'
5 September 1883
Eden Land Office,
Thursday, 30th August.
JAMES SMITH, - P. Pericoe, 40 acres starting from southeast corner of James Albert Love's 40 acres, taken 21st June last, east south west and north to point of commencement.
John Thomas Alexander, - P. Pericoe, 40 acres, on Towamba run commencing at south west corner of 160 acres, taken by Franz Thelen, 30th Nov. 1876, running east south west and north to point of commencement.

December 1, 1883
'The Bega Gazette and Eden District or Southern Coast Advertiser'
* Stephen Hunt, parish of Pericoe, 300 acres, commencing at a point about a quarter of a mile north of the north-west corner of measured portion 41, to run north, west, (joining the southern boundary of 2o) south and east, to starting point.
* William Laing, parish of Towamba, 40 acres, commencing at south-east corner of C.P. surveyed block 23, to run east 10 chains, then north about 40 chains, and west to a tree marked 59, near Benjamin Beasley's selection.

'The Bega Gazette and Eden District or Southern Coast Advertiser'
27 August 1884
Eden Land Office.
August 14.
Alexander Thomson, 40 acres, parish of Bimmil, adjoining the western boundary of measured portion 79.
Thomas Kerr. 40 acres, parish of Yuglamah, adjoining the northern boundary of measured portion 153.
Donald Laing, 40 acres, parish of Towamba, adjoining the southern boundary of measured portion 74.
August 21.
Felix Darragh, 50 acres, parish of Yuglamah, embracing all the vacant land between measured portions 84 and 103, and 80 acres taken 3rd May, 1883, and the Basin Creek.
Benjamin Beasley, 40 acres, parish of Towamba, bounded on the south by measured portion 40, on the west by measured portion 41, on the north by village of Sturt reserve, and on the east by Donald Laing's 40 acres.
John Ryan, 40 acres, parish of Towamba between measured portions 24 and 44, with frontage to Towamba River.
Stephen Hunt, 40 acres, parish of Pericoe, adjoining eastern boundary of 40 acres taken 5th June last, and the northern boundary of measured portion 41.

October 31, 1885
'The Bega Gazette and Eden District or Southern Coast Advertiser'
Thursday, October 8.
C.P. 86, Robert Goward, 40 acres, parish of Nullica, adjoining eastern boundary of portion 10, with frontage to Towamba River.
87, Edward Mitchell, 40 acres, parish of Imlay, adjoining eastern and southern boundaries of portion 24, with frontage to Towamba River.
88, John Alexander, 40 acres, parish of Pericoe, adjoining portions 48, 49, end 74.
Thursday, October 15.
C.P. 90, John Alexander, 108 acres, parish of Towamba, adjoining southern boundaries of portions 36 and 37, the western boundary of A. Falkner's 50 acres, and the eastern boundary of portion 13, parish of Pericoe.
91, John Henry Power, 40 acres, parish of Kiah, adjoining southern boundary of village reserve with frontage to Kiah River.
93, James Albert Love, senr., 40 acres, parish of Pericoe, adjoining southern boundary of portion 85, and the western boundary of 94.
C.L. 38. James Albert Love, senr., 160 acres, parish of Pericoe, adjoining southern boundaries of portion 94, and of selection of this date, and the western boundary of Smith's
Tuesday, October 20.
C.L. 40, John Alexander, 120 acres, parish of Towamba, south of selection No. 90, of 15th instant, and between Falkner's C.L. 16, applied for 11th August last, and Ryan's eastern boundary.
Thursday, October 22.
97, John Henry Martin, 40 acres, parish of Burrogate, adjoining portion 11, and selection taken 6th August last.
98, James Pike, 46 acres, parish of Mataganah, adjoining eastern boundary of portion 37, and the northern boundary of 150 acres selected 11th December last.

Extract from:
Geographical Encyclopaedia of New South Wales
by William Hanson. 1892
Counties, Towns, and Villages within the colony.
Auckland, a county bounded by Beresford and Wellesley on the W.; the dividing line of Victoria, S.; the South Pacific Ocean, E.; and contains 1,167,360 acres. It is about 60 miles in length, and 40 miles in breadth. The following places are within its boundaries:

Bega - Howe - Pericoe - Bemboka - Imlay - Puen Buen - Bimmil - Kameruka - Sturt - Bondi - Kanoonah - Tantawanglo - Boranda - Kiah - Tathra - Bowinda - Kocoboreeka - Towamba - Boyd - Mataganah - Victoria - Brebendowra - Meringo - Waalimma - Brogo - Mogila - Wallagaraugh - Bronte - Mokoreeka - Wallagat - Buckle - Morkerwah - Werriberri - Burragate - Mumbulla - Wolumba - Candelo Nalbaugh Wolumla - Cobra - Narrabarba - Wonboyn
Colombo - Nullica - Wyndham - Coolangubra - Numbugga - Yambulla - Eden - Nungatta - Yowaka - Genoa - Ooranook - Yuglamah - Gnupa - Panbula - Yurammie - Gooyan

This county is in the extreme S. of the territory, and adjoins that of Victoria. The rivers are the Brogo, Bemboka, Bega, Towamba, Panbula, and Genoa. The Brogo and Bemboka discharge their waters into the ocean at Tathra, and the Towamba into Twofold Bay. The mountains are Nungatta, Finlay, Mumbulla, Nimmitabil, Tennyson, Buckle, and Carlyle, and Yambulla and Wolumla Peaks.

'Dunblane' and 'Janco' homesteads, Burragate 'Dunblane' in background built by Alexander Binnie and 'Janco' in foreground where Granny Binnie lived until she died in 1921.

November 21, 1908
'The Bega Budget'
* At Eden, on 7th December, the Land Court will take evidence and consider the disposal of any lands then vacant in the parishes of Buckle, Gooyan, Howe, Kiah, Narrabarba, Perico, Sturt, Towamba, Victoria, Wonboyn, Wallaraugh, and Yambulla, in the county of Auckland. Illustrative diagrams are exhibited at the office, Eden, and at the post offices of Towamba and Yambulla.

December 14, 1912
'The Bega Budget'
* Brown and D'Arcy report the sale of the lease of Towamba recreation reserve to Mr. Slattery at a satisfactory price.

Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 - 2001)
Wed 24 Jun 1914 [Issue No.105]
862CJ Department of Lands,
Sydney, 27th May, 1911.
PROPOSED ALTERATION OF DESIGN OF THE VILLAGE OF STURT.
It is hereby notified, for public information, that, at the expiration of three months from this date, it is intended, under the provisions of section 23 of the Crown Lands Consolidation Act of 1913, to alter the design of the village of Sturt by closing those parts of the streets and lanes coloured brown, and opening those coloured blue, and reducing village lands.
Lithographs showing the proposed alteration may be in spected at the Crown Land Office, Goulburn, and at the department of Lands, Sydney.
Ms. 1C14-6,895)
S. L. TREFLE

14 Dec 1912
'The Bega Budget'
* Brown and D'arcy report the sale of the lease of the Towamba recreation reserve to Mr. Slattery at a satisfactory price.

'The Bega Budget'
3 October 1914
FOR SALE. Towamba.
* Towamba. 720 ACRES Freehold and 290 acres C.P. Land, known as Oaklands, subdivided into 5 Paddocks, 800 acres runs and cleared, well watered in all seasons, Good Homestead, and all necessary buildings for carrying on a dairy. Easy terms. For further particulars apply E. I. PELL, Auctioneer.

Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales
Wed 28 Oct 1914 [Issue No.186]
2639] Department of Lands,
Sydney, 28th October, 1914.
VILLAGE AND SUBURBAN LANDS AT STURT.
It is hereby notified that, in pursuance of the provisions of the 23rd section of the Crown Lands Consolidation Act, 1913, the following portions of Crown Lands are declared to be set apart respectively as the sites for the village lands at Sturt, and for the suburban lands attached thereto.
J. L. TREFLE.
EASTERN DIVISION.
Land District of Eden, and Imlay Shire.
Village Boundaries.
County of Auckland, parish of Towamba, area about 90 acres: Commencing at the intersection of the south side of Genoa-street with the east side of East-Street; thence bounded by the south side of Genoa-street west, the west side of Victoria-street north, the south side of Nangutta-street west, theo west side of Barney street north, the south side of Towamba-street west, the west boundary of allotment 4, section 6, south, the north side of a lane forming the south boundaries of allotments 3, 2, and 1, section 6, and a line west to the west side of Manning-street; by that side of that street north, the north side of Towamba-street east to the east side of East-street aforesaid; and by that side of that street south, to the commencing point.
Suburban Boundaries.
County of Auckland, parish of Towamba, area about 760 acres: Commencing on the right bank of Towamba River at the north-east corner of portion 15; thence bounded by a line partly forming the east boundaries of that portion and portion 22 south to a point east of the south-west corner of portion 118; by a line partly forming the south boundaries of that portion and portions 119, 136, 125, 136, 134, and 133 east to the east extremity of the north boundary of portion 67; by the north-western boundaries of that portion and portion 10 north-easterly to the right bank of Towamba River aforesaid: and by that river upwards, to the commencing point;-exclusive of the village lands of Sturt, notified this day.
Note. The above are in lieu of village and sub urban boundaries of Sturt, notified lst March. 1890), which are hereby cancelled.
[Mn, 1014-12,333]

'The Twofold Bay Magnet and South Coast and Southern Monaro Advertiser '
Sat 2 Nov 1918
Land Settlement.
The following applications have been received by the Crown Land Agent at Eden:
Jas Brownlie, AC P, 18 13 of 300 acres, being conversion of C. L. 29342, portion
56, Parish Bondi.
Arthur Brown, C L 18-IO 120 acres, portion 59, Parish Yambulla, Herbert Beasley, SH 18 8
of 6,1/4 acres, portion G Village of Sturt.
John Hartneady, (Sp L 18 9) Donald Evelyn McLeod (Sp L 1810) portion 99. Village Sturt.

Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales
Fri 29 May 1964 [Issue No.68
(6708) Sydney,
PROPOSED ALTERATION OF THE DESIGN OF THE SUBURBAN LANDS OF THE VILLAGE OF STURT
It is hereby notified that at the expiration of one month from this date it is intended under the provisions of section 23 of the Crown Lands Consolidation Act, 1913, to alter the design of the suburban lands of the Village of Sturt by the closing of the road separating portion 98 from portion 99, parish of Towamba, county of Auckland. Plan A. 2,436-2,098 R.
Diagrams illustrating the proposal may be inspected at the Post Office, Bega, the Crown Land Agent's Office, Bega, the Land Board Office, Goulburn, and the Department of Lands, Sydney.
K. C. COMPTON, Minister for Lands.

Excerpt from: COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
STATE OF NEW SOUTH WALES
DIVISION OF EDEN - MONARO 1903
Towamba Polling-Place
Roll of persons entitled to vote under the Commonwealth Franchise Act of 1902.

Excerpt from: COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
STATE OF NEW SOUTH WALES
DIVISION OF EDEN - MONARO 1903
Burragate Polling-Place
Roll of persons entitled to vote under the Commonwealth Franchise Act of 1902.

EXTRACTS FROM SAND'S SYDNEY & NSW DIRECTORY 1915
County Commercial Towamba

Dickie. J.M. & J.T. - Butchers
Hartneady. John - Store
Kennedy. W.F. - Blacksmith
McCoy. Charles - Towamba Hotel
Robinson. Alfred - General Store

EXTRACTS FROM SAND'S SYDNEY & NSW DIRECTORY 1921
County Commercial
Eden - 120 miles south by steamer direct; or rail to Cooma, then motor daily (Sunday excepted).
Court of Petty Sessions, Bega Quarter Sessions.

Eden Pastures Protection Board
Secretary: H.H.B. Grime, Bega.
Stock Inspector: H. Hessin, Bega.

PASTORAL

Pericoe - 224 miles south - Steamer to Eden.
Alexander. Alfred E. - Farmer
Ramsey. Francis - Farmer
Alexander. Horace E. - Farmer
Ryan. John M. - Farmer
Brownlie. Alexander - Farmer
Ryan. Joseph H. - Farmer
Elton. Charles C. - Dairyman
Umback. Hubert - Farmer
Johnson. Robert H. - Farmer
Walters. James - Farmer
Love. Wm. - Farmer
Wood. Richard - Farmer
McDonald. John - Farmer

Towamba - 298 miles south - Steamer to Eden, thence coach.
Nearest bank - Eden

Beasley. Benjamin - Farmer
Martin. George - Wine Merchant
Binnie. David - Farmer
Mitchell. John T. - Farmer
Bollman. Mrs. R. - Farmer
Parker. Samuel - Farmer
Clements. William - Farmer
Parker. Wm. - Farmer
Dickie. John T. - Farmer
Richards. Robert H. - Farmer
Doyle. Roger T. - Farmer
Roberts. John C. - Farmer
Duncan. Henry - Dairyman
Robinson. Alfred - General Store
Hartneady. John - Store
Slattery. John - Farmer
Love. Tom - Farmer
Smith. John T. - Farmer
McDonald. John - Farmer
Tindall. Arthur J. - Farmer
McLeod. Kenneth - Farmer