The test for acquiring title by adverse possession has not changed in many years. However, the application of that test is complex, taking into account a variety of situations that may affect a claim such as knowledge of the possessor and concurrent rights over the land.

In the case of Jones v. M the plaintiff sued for obstruction to a right-of way at West Melbourne. The plaintiff relied upon a certificate of title, which showed his title to the right-of-way, and the Court held that under the act passed last Session this gave him an indefeasible title to have the right-of-way free from obstruction.

An important decision was given in the Equity Court yesterday (sic), by Mr. Justice Molesworth, in Robertson v. Keith, affecting the value of certificates of title under the Transfer of Land Statute, which have been generally supposed to be unimpeachable, except by claims under adverse possession for 15 years.

The counties of Victoria are names of the divisions used in Victoria, Australia, for land administration purposes. Victoria is divided into 37 counties, which were gazetted in stages between 1849 and 1871 as Victoria was progressively opened up to British settlement.  

McKinnon in the early days 1850 to 1900 was market gardens. Joe Lees inherited his father’s land (c 1874) and was quite successful racing his horses, using the bush track behind the Hotel on the corner of East Boundary and Centre Roads for training.

Sir Thomas Bent late of Bay Street Brighton formerly of Hampton Street, St Andrews Street and Dendy Street (or Road) in the Borough of Brighton Parish of Moorabin County of Bourke, Colony of Victoria Member of Parliament, Mayor of Brighton, Gentleman, Land Speculator died 1909. Still today, 2016, one hundred and forty three years later, the name Thomas Bent survives and remains on title as the registered proprietor in fee simple of a piece of land adjoining Barkly and Parliament Streets Brighton.