The Eltham Roads Board was established in 1856. This is a unique significant record of early settlers in the Shire of Eltham. One of 6 early rate books. This is among the oldest items in the EDHS collection. An article in the Eltham and Whittlesea Shires Advertiser Friday 21 Nov 1941 Page 5 titled: District's Early History states: "The first rate book which is still in existence at the Shire Office is for the year ending October 14, 1858 and is probably the best record possible to indicate the development of the district. At the time properties were rated as follows: Cultivated land. 6d. per acre; pasture land, 1d. per acre: estimated annual value of buildings, etc., 6d in the (pound). The total amount of rate recorded for the year was (pounds)153/14/8. Properties were described as being situated at Lower Plenty, Yarra Yarra, Eltham, Lower Eltham, Kangaroo Ground, Yarra Flats, Diamond Creek and the Yarra."Ledger with printed columns: Number, Name of Occupier, Description, Where situated, Cultivated land, Pasture land, Estimated annual value of buildings, Rate, Remarks, Arrears collected, excused, unoccupied, uncollected and amount actually collected. Ledger filled out by hand with 184 entries (not alphabetically arranged) and summary section. A number of blank pages are included. Inside cover includes pasted printed note: RATE OF ASSESSMENT AS FOLLOWS: Cultivated land 6d per acre Pasture land 1/2d per acre Unalienated Pasture Land 1/28 per Acre Estimated Annual Value of Buildings, &c., 6d. in the Pound eltham roads board, rate book, rate payers, transaction, pioneers, settlers, 1862, assessment ledger, eltham road district, public records office victoria (prov), rate books, shire of eltham archives

The Eltham Roads Board was established in 1856. This is a unique significant record of early settlers in the Shire of Eltham. One of 6 early rate books. This is among the oldest items in the EDHS collection. An article in the Eltham and Whittlesea Shires Advertiser Friday 21 Nov 1941 Page 5 titled: District's Early History states: "The first rate book which is still in existence at the Shire Office is for the year ending October 14, 1858 and is probably the best record possible to indicate the development of the district. At the time properties were rated as follows: Cultivated land. 6d. per acre; pasture land, 1d. per acre: estimated annual value of buildings, etc., 6d in the (pound). The total amount of rate recorded for the year was (pounds)153/14/8. Properties were described as being situated at Lower Plenty, Yarra Yarra, Eltham, Lower Eltham, Kangaroo Ground, Yarra Flats, Diamond Creek and the Yarra."Ledger with printed columns: Number, Name of Occupier, Description, Where situated, Cultivated land, Pasture land, Estimated annual value of buildings, Rate, Remarks, Arrears collected, excused, unoccupied, uncollected and amount actually collected. Ledger filled out by hand with 181 entries (not alphabetically arranged) and summary section. A number of blank pages are included. Inside cover includes pasted printed note: RATE OF ASSESSMENT AS FOLLOWS: Cultivated land 6d per acre Pasture land 1/2d per acre Unalienated Pasture Land 1/28 per Acre Estimated Annual Value of Buildings, &c., 6d. in the Pound eltham roads board, rate book, rate payers, transaction, pioneers, settlers, 1863, assessment ledger, eltham road district, public records office victoria (prov), rate books, shire of eltham archives