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The Burns-Withers-Smith Hornsby Land Inquiry, 1888-1889
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DetailsIn 1870 Messrs. Burns, Withers and Smith purchased a large area of land (1,450 acres) known as the Hornsby Estate. At the time it was in a rough and undeveloped state consisting of forest and scrub bounded by what became George, Albert, Linda, Burdett, Florence and Junction Streets (latter renamed Edgeworth David Avenue).
When the railway came to Hornsby, twenty seven and a half acres were resumed by the Government and the estate was paid £50 per acre in compensation. This £1,350 compensation just about recouped them for their original outlay for the entire estate. At that time it was estimated that the remaining portion of the estate was valued at £140,000.
It was claimed by journalists that it was a scandal that these men profiteered when the Government opened roads on their private estate and used finance from unemployment relief schemes and labour authorised by the Casual Labour Board to improve the value of their properties.
A Government Commission of Inquiry found that in the Burns, Withers, Smith Estate, there had been an improper expenditure of public moneys by improving the value of land through the making and construction of roads and other works on their properties. The Commission concluded there was clear evidence that there were many other options that could have been used to employ relief labour on Crown Lands, rather than private property, which would have derived more benefit to the public.
DateBetween 9th November 1888 and 6th June 1889CreatorRobert GreenKeywordsHornsby
When the railway came to Hornsby, twenty seven and a half acres were resumed by the Government and the estate was paid £50 per acre in compensation. This £1,350 compensation just about recouped them for their original outlay for the entire estate. At that time it was estimated that the remaining portion of the estate was valued at £140,000.
It was claimed by journalists that it was a scandal that these men profiteered when the Government opened roads on their private estate and used finance from unemployment relief schemes and labour authorised by the Casual Labour Board to improve the value of their properties.
A Government Commission of Inquiry found that in the Burns, Withers, Smith Estate, there had been an improper expenditure of public moneys by improving the value of land through the making and construction of roads and other works on their properties. The Commission concluded there was clear evidence that there were many other options that could have been used to employ relief labour on Crown Lands, rather than private property, which would have derived more benefit to the public.
DateBetween 9th November 1888 and 6th June 1889CreatorRobert GreenKeywordsHornsbyRelated
CollectionRobert Green CollectionLocationHornsby
LocationHornsbyAbout the original
SourceSources for various newspaper articles are listed within this document
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Robert Green, The Burns-Withers-Smith Hornsby Land Inquiry, 1888-1889 (Between 9th November 1888 and 6th June 1889). Hornsby Shire, accessed 29/04/2026, https://hornsbyshire.recollect.net.au/nodes/view/2767