Secondary Towns Association, formed for the purchasing of one or more special survey or surveys of land in South Australia, for Sites for Secondary Towns by [SOUTH AUSTRALIA] - 1843

A remarkable copy of this rare book on the second phase of South Australian settlement, sent to prospective settlers the Burrows family, and with associated material relating to their land speculations tipped in. The land holdings they took up are marked on two of the more detailed maps, and there is also an 1841 letter from a strong proponent of the various Wakefield schemes, Daniel Riddiford, having the 'pleasure to advise you, of having made the selection of your two Town acres, also one country section' in New Zealand.

The book with its three fine maps is rare in its own right - Ferguson agreed with an early bookseller's note that it was "exceedingly scarce" - but to have a copy with such remarkable provenance is very exciting as a glimpse into how the early settlers were kept apprised of their prospects, not least because the Burrows family were evidently getting involved in some rather complicated empire building.

On the 'Plan of the Two special surveys on the River Light' there are a series of manuscript notes relating to J. Burrows and Jane Burrows (his wife?). Similarly, the 'Plan of the Special Survey on the River Murray' has notes relating to John Burrows. Also tipped in at the end is an 1872 letter from one James Walsh to Burrows, regarding lots in the "township of Victoria". The back endpapers are covered in notes and clippings relating to land allotments.

The letter from Daniel Riddiford is particularly striking. Riddiford (1814-1875) was an enthusiastic proponent of Wakefield colonisation schemes who emigrated to Wellington, New Zealand, in 1840 as agent in the New Zealand Company: 'His duties were to receive immigrants on landing and to provide temporary habitation, particularly for women and children and any sick' (Encyclopedia of New Zealand). The letter is addressed to Thomas Burrows, evidently the patriarch of the family, and therefore provides a substantive glimpse into how the early Wakefield schemes worked, noting his purchase of town lots 367 and 435, and no. 44 on the Hutt River valley ("the land in this place is rich, the timber fine..."). The note also comments that Burrows' second country selection can not yet be made because the land is not ready.