The Riverina is the flat inland plain crossed by the Murray and Murrumbidgee river systems in western New South Wales. This is a fascinating and detailed study of the changing pattern of land ownership and social structure over thirty years of pioneering settlement. The aims and operation of the Robertson Land Acts are closely examined, especially the ‘free selection before survey’ clause. Selection did not immediately follow these Acts and the real clash between squatters and selectors did not come until the start of mechanization and railway-building removed natural obstacles to agriculture in the 1880s. The author marches us along watercourses, flourishing pistols, with a band of men intent on dam-cutting after they have been deprived of water by a selfish neighbour upstream. He refutes the assumption of earlier writers that the ‘pastoral industry’ meant the ‘sheep industry’ – cattle were important in the early stages. Nor does Dr Buxton ignore the towns; he describes their origin and growth, and their functions as rallying places. Newspapers and private sources are freely used to enable the reader to observe the life of the less literate sections of the community who can otherwise only be seen through the eyes of their ‘superiors’ in birth, wealth or education.

Contains references to the following places:
Albury. Balranald. Beechworth. Corowa. Deniliquin. Echuca. Hay. Howlong. Jerilderie. Jindera. Junee. Moama. Moulamein. Narrandera. The Rock. Urana. Wagga. Wahgunyah. Walla Walla. Wodonga. Yanko Creek.

Contains brief references to the following pastoral properties:
Barratta. Balobala. Benerembah. Billabong Forest. Boree Creek. Brookong. Bundure. Burrabogie. Burroogo (Barooga). Canally. Canowie. Carabobala. Chah Sing. Cobram. Collendina. Conargo. Coree. Cornalla. Currabunganung. Deniliquin. Dry Forest. Eli Elwah. Goolgumbla. Groongal. Gumly Gumly. Hartwood. Hawksview (Thurgona). Jerilderie. Kerarbury. Lake Cargelligo. Lower Deniliquin. Mahonga. Mahonga Forest. Moira. Mathoura. Moonbria. Morago. Munga (dunga) dal. Neimur. Nyang. Paika. Perricoota. Piney Range. Piney Ridge. Poon Boon. South Deniliquin. Steam Plains. Table Top. Tattaila. Thurgona. Toganmain. Toogimbie. Towpruck. Tumudgerie. Tyntynder. Uardry. Upper Deniliquin. Wahgunyah. Walla Walla. Wallandool. Wanganella. Wannock. Warbreccan. Widgiewa. Willurah. Wonnamurra. Yarra Yarra.

Maps on end papers. Includes bibliography (p. 319-329) and index.

Based on a thesis, Australian National University.