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Prior to the arrival of the Merrett’s, the Tatiara was comprised of three great sheep stations originally taken up by the following: Nalang (1846) by Loudon and Mrs Macleod. Cannawigara (1846) by John and Charles Scott. Wirrega (1846) by John Binnie. The Government decided on farming the settlement and surveyed about 20,000 acres to form the Hundred of Tatiara West. This was thrown open to farmers on February 22, 1872, under the Strangways Act (the Dutch auction system at 3 pounds an acre). Very little of the land reached that figure and the average price paid by selectors was 1 pound 13 shillings an acre. Dr Robert Banks Penny was the first applicant and allottee of section 1 and 234 in the new Hundred; he paid 1 pound 15 shillings an acre. Closely following Dr Penny were Messrs AW&CHW Wiese, G&R Adamson, Friend Cleggett, J Bell, J Green, W Merrett and WH Ward. These particulars were taken from the Tatiara PA&I Society Jubilee Show Book, The Good Country. The Tatiara held its Centenary last year, 1976, having been proclaimed on June 29, 1876; "it covers a total of 1,800 square miles." |