Robert Richard Torrens

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Sir Robert Richard Torrens, Template:Post-nominals (31 May 1812<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Efn – 31 August 1884),<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> also known as Robert Richard Chute Torrens, was an Irish-born parliamentarian, writer, and land reformer. After a move to London in 1836, he became prominent in the early years of the Colony of South Australia, emigrating after being appointed to a civil service position there in 1840. He was Colonial Treasurer and Registrar-General from 1852 to 1857 and then the third Premier of South Australia for a single month in September 1857.

Torrens is chiefly remembered as the originator of the Torrens title, a new system of land registration that subsequently spread to the other Australian colonies and is used in Australia and in many other countries throughout the world today. He secured its implementation in South Australia in 1858, and subsequently advocated for its adoption in other jurisdictions. Returning to England in 1865, he served in the British House of Commons from 1868 to 1874.

He was son of the political economist Robert Torrens, who was chairman of the London-based South Australian Colonisation Commission involved in setting up and encouraging emigration to the new colony.

Early life

Torrens was born in Cork, Ireland, on 31 May 1812.<ref name=Adelaidia>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite ODNB</ref> He was the only surviving son<ref name=debrett/> of Robert Torrens Template:Post-nominals and his first wife Charity Herbert née Chute.<ref name=adb>Template:Cite AuDB</ref> His father had this marriage nullified and in 1819 married again, to Esther Serle, an English heiress, and had his three children rebaptised to give them a form of legitimacy,<ref name=Croucher/> Robert Richard's birth year being reset to 1814.

Torrens was educated at Trinity College, Dublin,<ref name=debrett/> where he graduated BA 1835. His father had been appointed chairman of the London-based South Australian Colonization Commission, created in 1834 to oversee the new colony of South Australia, and the son moved to London in 1836 to work with his father and learn about customs collection by working as a landing waiter. Together they raised customs duties to finance the new colony, and promoted Irish investment and emigration.<ref name=Adelaidia/>

In 1839, he married Barbara Anson, daughter of Alexander Park,<ref name=debrett/> widow of Augustus George Anson and a niece of explorer Mungo Park.<ref name=dnb/> In that same year he was awarded an MA "by grace".<ref name=Adelaidia/>

South Australia

In 1840, the couple left for South Australia, arriving on the Brightman in December 1840.<ref>Template:Cite news This ref agrees with date of 13 December 1840 given in Barry Leadbeater's South Australian Passenger Lists.</ref><ref name=Adelaidia/> In February 1841, Torrens was Collector of Customs at Adelaide, probably arranged by his father.<ref name=Adelaidia/><ref name=adb/> He continued working as a customs official until 1852, obtaining a good working knowledge of the buying and selling of ships and shares in ships.<ref name=sahtt/>

He gained a reputation for unorthodoxy in his official dealings; he squabbled with shipowners and was censured for various irregularities and for not supporting some of Governor George Grey's policies, but these did not prevent him from assuming other official roles, nor did his unorthodoxy stop when he was in higher office.<ref name=Adelaidia/><ref name=adb/>

In the enlarged Legislative Council elected in July 1851, Torrens was one of the four official nominees nominated by the Governor,<ref name=dab/> with the added title of Executive Councillor in 1855–57.<ref name=Adelaidia/> He became Colonial TreasurerTemplate:Efn (a post he held until 1862<ref name=debrett/>) and Registrar-General of Deeds, one of the best paid offices in Australia,<ref name=sahtt/> in 1852.<ref name="SA parl">Template:Cite SA-parl</ref>

When South Australia became self-governing colony in 1856 with the ratification of a new constitution by the British parliament via the Constitution Act 1856, Torrens became Treasurer of South Australia in the ministry of Finniss<ref name=Adelaidia/> from 24 October 1856 to 21 August 1857, during which time he published drafts of his land reform bill.<ref name=adb/>

He also volunteered in the colonial artillery for 11 years, retiring as Lieutenant-Colonel in 1865.<ref name=debrett/>

Torrens initially opposed the system of voting by secret ballot, which was first adopted by South Australia in 1856–1857; however, after seeing the results, he stated the system was, "the best and most rapid and facile mode of carrying on elections".<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Real Property Act 1858

File:Robert Richard Torrens bust.jpg

Bust of Robert Torrens by the sculptor John Dowie, formerly located in the Lands Titles Office, Adelaide, but now held in the South Australian Parliament Research Library

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Torrens was elected as one of the members of the House of Assembly for the City of Adelaide in the new parliament in 1857, and on 1 September 1857 became Premier, although his government lasted only a month.<ref name=Adelaidia/>

For years before his election, he had vigorously promoted the need for land titles reform, with the current system of transfer of land by deed ineffective, slow, expensive and insecure. It relied on verbose and complicated documents that had to be retained at least a century in order to validate new transactions and lawyers were needed to effect the transactions.<ref name=sahtt>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The second reading of a bill introduced as a private member's bill was carried despite strong opposition, passing through both Houses on 27 January 1858.<ref name=adb/><ref name=Adelaidia/>

The Real Property Act 1858, with the long title "An Act to simplify the Laws relating to the transfer and encumbrance of freehold and other interests in Land", was assented to on 27 January 1858.<ref name=rpamain>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The Act, eagerly anticipated by many, came into effect on 2 July 1858 and was on the whole well-received,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> apart from some lawyers who would have noted that the ease and clarity of the process would mean less in earnings for them in the future.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} (Incorrect naming of "Colonel Robert Torrens" reported to site.)</ref> Torrens resigned his seat in parliament<ref name=austral>Template:Cite Australasia Note that this source incorrectly refers to him as "Colonel Torrens".</ref> and was appointed Registrar-General in order to assist with the Act's application,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and in this role he did much to bring about a successful practical transition to the new system.<ref name=sahtt/>

The Act radically altered the method of recording and registering land under freehold title. Instead, government certificates were issued and a central register established. The system transferred property by registration of title, instead of by deeds. This system provided an indisputable record, thus almost eliminating litigation involving land disputes, got rid of difficulties created by lost certificates, and reduced the cost of land sales and transfers.<ref name=rpamain/> The legislation was refined in the following few years,<ref name=sahtt/> which included an amendment allowing the licensing of registered land brokers instead of lawyers in land transactions, thus further reducing the cost.<ref name=rpamain/>

Spread and current legislation

Template:Further So successful was the outcome that it was adopted in the rest of Australia and in many countries throughout the world. The system became known as the Torrens title, and the Act sometimes referred to as the "Torrens Title Act 1858".<ref name=rpamain/>

Torrens visited Victoria in 1860 and assisted in bringing in the new system in that colony.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He also helped the other colonies to introduce their own variations of the system: Queensland adopted the 1859 version, while New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria based their legislation on the 1861 reforms. New Zealand, Malaysia and some states in the US followed;<ref name=sahtt/> the system has since been widely adopted throughout the world.<ref name=rpamain/>

In 1862, Torrens published A handy book on the Real Property Act of South Australia:...,<ref>Template:Citation</ref> which is now available in full online.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In South Australia, the Act was substantially revised in 1886, and Real Property Act 1886 (with various amendments) remains the basis of property law in South Australia.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Credit for the act

Some have challenged the notion that responsibility for the introduction of the successful system lies with Torrens, and it has been asserted that Anthony Forster, then editor of the South Australian Register, made the original suggestion.<ref name=Parsons>Template:Cite news</ref> In the preface to his book, The South Australian System of Conveyancing by Registration of Title, published at Adelaide in 1859, Torrens stated that his interest in the question had been aroused 22 years before through the misfortunes of a relation and friend, and that he had been working on the problem for many years.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> He also said that the idea was based on principles used in transferring shipping property,<ref name=rpamain/><ref name=dab>Template:Dictionary of Australian Biography</ref> of which he would have gained experience in his early career as a customs official, both in London and Adelaide (1836–1852). His experience as Registrar-General (1852–1858), as a landowner himself, and the influence of politicians such as Forster and W. H. Burford and lawyers such as Richard Bullock Andrews, Henry Gawler and W. C. Belt, would have influenced him close to home.<ref name=sahtt/>

Torrens was also familiar with a report presented to the British House of Commons on 15 May 1857, supplied by the Clare lawyer Ulrich Hübbe LLD, who had detailed knowledge of the real property laws of the Hanseatic League cities<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and whose doctorate in laws from Hamburg University dealt with this topic. His input added to the practical application of the method in law, and Torrens worked on this aspect further.<ref name=sahtt/> With the support of Carl Muecke and the influential German community,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> he fought it through Parliament despite vigorous opposition from the legal profession.<ref name=sahtt/>

There seems to be little doubt in the sources that the successful application of the new system in South Australia was largely the result of Torrens' preparation and attention to detail.<ref name="rpamain" /><ref name=austral/>

Later life

In 1863, Torrens retired and, after a great series of celebration banquets, left Australia and settled back in England.<ref name=dnb>Template:Cite DNB</ref> There he gave lectures on and lobbied for the implementation of land title legislation, with a particular focus on Ireland.<ref name=Adelaidia/>

He became the member of the House of Commons as a Liberal for Cambridge from 1868 to 1874,<ref name="vch">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> but did not have the opportunity to effect the land reform which was so dear to him.<ref name=dnb/>

He was created Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) on 1 August 1872 and Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG) on 24 May 1884,<ref name=dnb/><ref name=adb/> for his services "in connection with the Registration of Titles to Land Act". The Queensland, New South Wales, Victorian and Tasmanian Parliaments all gave him votes of thanks, but<ref name=Adelaidia/> when in 1880 the attorney-general Sir William Bundey moved in the South Australian House of Assembly to grant Torrens a pension of £500, it was bitterly shouted down and the proposal had to be withdrawn, such was the animosity Torrens had aroused in some quarters.<ref name=adb/>

His last place of residence was a house he built known as Hannaford House, in Ashburton, Devon, where he served as a county magistrate and as lieutenant-colonel of a volunteer artillery unit.<ref name=dnb/>

He died of pneumonia<ref name=adb/> at Falmouth on 31 August 1884, aged 70,<ref name=dnb/> and was buried at Leusdon Churchyard.<ref name=Adelaidia/> His wife, who died in 1899, was interred with him.<ref name=adb/>

There is no record of children of his marriage.<ref name=debrett/><ref name="adb" /><ref name=dnb/>

Legacy

Torrens' major legacy is the significant legal reform which became known as Torrens title, which can be said to be a world-first, born in Australia.<ref name=adb/>

Places named after Torrens include:

the Adelaide suburb Torrens Park, after the home he built and called "Torrens Park" near Mitcham in 1853–4. In 1865 Torrens sold the house to his partner in the Moonta Mines, Walter Watson Hughes, who enlarged it and later sold it to Robert Barr Smith.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> It is now part of Scotch College.<ref name=Adelaidia/>

Torrens Building on Victoria Square/Tarndanyangga, Adelaide<ref name=Adelaidiatb>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

- By extension, the now Australia-wide Torrens University, which started life in the Torrens Building<ref name=Adelaidiatb/>
the Electoral district of Torrens<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

the Canberra suburb of Torrens, name proposed by "contemporaries of Sir Robert Torrens; SA pioneers and politicians" and gazetted on 20 September 1928; suburb gazetted on 12 May 1966.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Torrens Terrace, a street in Wellington, New Zealand<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Torrens Creek, Queensland, named by the explorer William Landsborough, who discovered it in 1862 while searching for Burke and Wills.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

(Note: Places named after his father, Robert Torrens, are the River Torrens, the suburb of Torrensville, Lake Torrens and Torrens Island.<ref name=adbRTsen>Template:Cite AuDB</ref>)

There is a portrait of Torrens in the Art Gallery of South Australia, and a drawing of him in the South Australian State Archives.<ref name=adb/> There is a bust of him by the sculptor John Dowie, commissioned by the Land Brokers Society Incorporated "to commemorate the introduction of the world's first Torrens System of land titles in South Australia in 1858 and the creation of Land Brokers in 1860".<ref>On Wikimedia.</ref>

Publications

Torrens authored these publications:<ref name=dab/>

The South Australian System of Conveyancing by Registration of Title (1859)
Speeches by R. R. Torrens (1858)
A Handy Book on the Real Property Act of South Australia (1862)
Transportation Considered as a Punishment and as a Mode of Founding Colonies (or Transportation condemned as a deterrent punishment and as a means of founding colonies) (1863)
An Essay on the Transfer of Land by Registration (1882)

And (dates not found):<ref name=austral/><ref name=debrett>Template:Cite book</ref>

First effects of Gold discovery on the currency in the Australian Colonies
Anomalies in the present relations between the mother country and her colonies

List of Worldcat holdings

There are other publications, documents and letters with Torrens as author, listed in WorldCat.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Notes

Template:Notelist

References

Template:Reflist

Political offices and roles held in South Australia and the United Kingdom

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Robert Richard Torrens

Contents

Early life

South Australia

Real Property Act 1858

Spread and current legislation

Credit for the act

Later life

Legacy

Publications

List of Worldcat holdings

Notes

References

Further reading

Real Property Act 1858

Political offices and roles held in South Australia and the United Kingdom

Navigation menu

Robert Richard Torrens

Early life

South Australia

Real Property Act 1858

Spread and current legislation

Credit for the act

Later life

Legacy

Publications

List of Worldcat holdings

Notes

References

Further reading

Real Property Act 1858

Political offices and roles held in South Australia and the United Kingdom

Navigation menu

Search