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59-591: Sir Robert Torrens originated the system of land registration known today worldwide as the Torrens system of land registration. As the commissioner of customs in South Australia , Torrens was inspired by the comparative facility with which ships or undivided shares therein were negotiated and transferred in accordance with the Merchant Shipping Acts. Becoming a register of deeds, he advised

118-553: A landing waiter . Together they raised customs duties to finance the new colony, and promoted Irish investment and emigration. In 1839, he married Barbara Anson, daughter of Alexander Park, widow of Augustus George Anson and a niece of explorer Mungo Park . In that same year he was awarded an MA "by grace". In 1840, the couple left for South Australia, arriving on the Brightman in December 1840. In February 1841, Torrens

177-780: A GCMG in Skyfall . Daniel Craig , who has portrayed Bond on film, was appointed (CMG) in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to film and theatre. The general release on 30 September 2021 of his last appearance as James Bond, in No Time to Die , had been delayed by almost two years due to a change of director and the COVID-19 pandemic. Coinciding with the film's premiere, and matching his fictional character's rank, Craig became an Honorary Commander in Britain's Royal Navy . Following this appointment, he committed to being an ambassador for

236-518: A bill introduced as a private member's bill was carried despite strong opposition, passing through both Houses on 27 January 1858. 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. The Act, eagerly anticipated by many, came into effect on 2 July 1858 and

295-458: A depiction of the circlet (a circle bearing the motto) and the collar; the former is shown either outside or on top of the latter. Knights and Dames Commanders and Companions may display the circlet, but not the collar, surrounding their arms. The badge is depicted suspended from the collar or circlet. In the satirical British television programme Yes Minister , Jim Hacker MP is told a joke by his Private Secretary, Bernard Woolley , about what

354-553: A foreign country, and it can also be conferred for important or loyal service in relation to foreign and Commonwealth affairs. The three classes of appointment to the Order are, from highest grade to lowest grade: It is used to honour individuals who have rendered important services in relation to Commonwealth or foreign nations. People are appointed to the Order rather than awarded it. British Ambassadors to foreign nations are regularly appointed as KCMGs, DCMGs, or CMGs. For example,

413-549: A form of legitimacy , Robert Richard's birth year being reset to 1814. Torrens was educated at Trinity College, Dublin , 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

472-402: A month. 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. The second reading of

531-550: A scheme of registration of title that improved the old system of registration of deeds. He adopted a procedure under the Merchant Shipping Acts with appropriate modifications. When he became a member of the First Colonial Ministry of the Province of South Australia , he introduced in the parliament a bill providing for the adoption of his scheme of land registration. The measure was passed and came to be known as

590-529: 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

649-409: Is hung, emblazoned with his or her coat of arms. At a considerably smaller scale, to the back of the stall is affixed a piece of brass (a "stall plate") displaying its occupant's name, arms and date of admission into the Order. Upon the death of a Knight, the banner, helm, mantling and crest are taken down. The stall plates, however, are not removed; rather, they remain permanently affixed somewhere about

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708-642: Is mentioned in the novels From Russia, with Love and On Her Majesty's Secret Service , and on-screen in his obituary in Skyfall . He was offered appointment as KCMG (which would have elevated him from Companion to Knight Commander in the Order) in The Man with the Golden Gun , but he rejected the offer as he did not wish to become a public figure. Judi Dench 's character "M" is "offered" early retirement as

767-737: Is not a member of the College of Arms , like many other heraldic officers. The Usher of the Order is known as the Gentleman or Lady Usher of the Blue Rod . Blue Rod does not, unlike the usher of the Order of the Garter , perform any duties related to the House of Lords . Members of the Order wear elaborate regalia on important occasions (such as coronations ), which vary by rank: At less important occasions, simpler insignia are used: Prior to 2011,

826-534: Is the significant legal reform which became known as Torrens title, which can be said to be a world-first, born in Australia. Places named after Torrens include: (Note: Places named after his father, Robert Torrens, are the River Torrens , the suburb of Torrensville , Lake Torrens and Torrens Island . ) There is a portrait of Torrens in the Art Gallery of South Australia , and a drawing of him in

885-801: 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. Torrens was born in Cork , Ireland, on 31 May 1812. He was the only surviving son of Robert Torrens FRS and his first wife Charity Herbert née Chute. 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

944-771: The Mediterranean ". In 1864, however, the protectorate ended and the Ionian Islands became part of Greece . A revision of the basis of the Order in 1868, saw membership granted to those who "hold high and confidential offices within Her Majesty 's colonial possessions, and in reward for services rendered to the Crown in relation to the foreign affairs of the Empire". Accordingly, nowadays, almost all Governors-General and Governors feature as recipients of awards in

1003-538: 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 from 24 October 1856 to 21 August 1857, during which time he published drafts of his land reform bill. He also volunteered in the colonial artillery for 11 years, retiring as Lieutenant-Colonel in 1865. Torrens initially opposed

1062-866: The " Torrens System ". On November 6, 1902, the Philippine Commission enacted Act 496 known as the Land Registration Act. This provided for the creation of the Court of Land Registration (CLR), the offices of the Register of Deeds and the institution in this country of the Torrens system of registration whereby real estate ownership may be judicially confirmed and recorded in the archives of the government. The system, however, actually took effect on February 1, 1903, on which date LRA may be said to have taken roots. Five judges were appointed by

1121-460: The Act sometimes referred to as the "Torrens Title Act 1858". Torrens visited Victoria in 1860 and assisted in bringing in the new system in that colony. 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

1180-618: The Bath , and The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India . The third of the aforementioned Orders—which relates to Ireland, no longer fully a part of the United Kingdom—still exists but is in disuse; no appointments have been made to it since 1936. The last of the Orders on the list, related to India, has also been in disuse since that country's independence in 1947. The Prince Regent founded

1239-590: The Clerks of Court of First Instance in land registration cases. A registry of deeds was established in every city and every province and branch registry where legally feasible, charged with the functions of registering deeds under the Torrens System. Registers of Deeds of the different provinces and chartered cities who were appointed by the President , were under the administrative supervision and control of

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1298-621: The General Land Registration Office (GLRO), was charged with the functions, among others, of looking into the effective implementation of the land registration law. The offices of the Register of Deeds were, per Section 192 (a) of the Revised Administrative Code, placed under the administrative supervision of the GLRO. However, Republic Act No. 1151 abolished the GLRO and created in its stead,

1357-583: The Governor-General with the advice and consent of the Philippine Commission, one of whom was designated as Judge of Court and the other as Associate Judges, all of whom could be removed by the Governor-General with the advice and the consent of the Philippine Commission. On February 11, 1913, the Cadastral Law Act (Act 2259) was enacted for compulsory registration of land titles with private ownership. Under this Act, registration of titles

1416-560: The Ionian Islands ; now, however, Grand Masters are chosen by the Sovereign. Grand Masters include: The Order originally included 15 Knights Grand Cross, 20 Knights Commanders, and 25 Companions but has since been expanded and the current limits on membership are 125, 375, and 1,750 respectively. Members of the royal family who are appointed to the Order do not count towards the limit, nor do foreign members appointed as "honorary members". The Order has six officers. The Order's King of Arms

1475-606: The Land Registration Commission (LRC), on June 17, 1954. The Commissioner of Land Registration took over the powers and functions of the GLRO, including those of the judge of the Fourth branch of the Court of First Instance of Manila. The Land Registration Commission operated under the supervision of the Department of Justice, and exercised direct supervision and control of all Registers of Deeds as well as

1534-741: The Land Registration Commission. On February 9, 1981, President Ferdinand Marcos issued Executive Order No. 649 reorganizing the LRC into the National Land Titles and Deeds Administration (NLTDRA). Operating under the administrative supervision of the Ministry of Justice , NLTDRA was implementing the laws governing the Torrens System of land registration in the Philippines. In the President's Memorandum Circular of September 30, 1988,

1593-411: The Order of St Michael and St George The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince of Wales (the future King George IV ), while he was acting as prince regent for his father, King George III . It is named in honour of two military saints , Michael and George . The Order of St Michael and St George

1652-552: The Order to commemorate the British amical protectorate over the Ionian Islands , which had come under British control in 1814 and had been granted their own constitution as the United States of the Ionian Islands in 1817. It was intended to reward "natives of the Ionian Islands and of the island of Malta and its dependencies, and for such other subjects of His Majesty as may hold high and confidential situations in

1711-749: The Order's chapel has been in St Paul's Cathedral in London. (The cathedral also serves as home to the chapels of the Order of the British Empire and the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor .) Religious services for the whole Order are held quadrennially; new Knights and Dames Grand Cross are installed at these services. The Sovereign and the Knights and Dames Grand Cross are allotted stalls in

1770-579: The Registration of Titles to Land Act". The Queensland, New South Wales, Victorian and Tasmanian Parliaments all gave him votes of thanks, but 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. His last place of residence

1829-729: The South Australian State Archives. 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". Torrens authored these publications: And (dates not found): There are other publications, documents and letters with Torrens as author, listed in WorldCat . Knight Grand Cross of

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1888-530: The US followed; the system has since been widely adopted throughout the world. In 1862, Torrens published A handy book on the Real Property Act of South Australia:... , which is now available in full online. 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. Some have challenged

1947-706: The badge is suspended from the collar. All collars which have been awarded since 1948 must be returned to the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood . The other insignia may be retained. The original home of the Order was the Palace of St. Michael and St. George in Corfu , the residence of the Lord High Commissioner of the Ionian Islands and the seat of the Ionian Senate. Since 1906,

2006-413: The choir of the chapel, above which their heraldic devices are displayed. Perched on the pinnacle of a knight's stall is his helm, decorated with a mantling and topped by his crest. Under English heraldic law, women other than monarchs do not bear helms or crests; instead, the coronet appropriate to the dame's rank, if there is one, is used. Above the crest or coronet, the stall's occupant's heraldic banner

2065-418: The cost of land sales and transfers. The legislation was refined in the following few years, which included an amendment allowing the licensing of registered land brokers instead of lawyers in land transactions, thus further reducing the cost. 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

2124-410: The devil was portrayed with black skin while St Michael was shown as being white; this was changed that year to show both with same skin colour, although St Michael's wings were changed from being multi-colour to being pure white. The alleged racism of this imagery has resulted in the government of Jamaica suspending the use of the badge entirely. In June 2020, calls were made for a complete redesign of

2183-612: The former British Ambassador to the United States, Sir David Manning , was appointed a CMG when he worked for the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), and then after his appointment as British Ambassador to the US, he was promoted to a Knight Commander (KCMG). It is the traditional award for members of the FCO. The Order's motto is Auspicium melioris ævi ( Latin for "Token of a better age"). Its patron saints, as

2242-484: The former are written out in their fullest forms. Furthermore, honorary (foreign) members and clergymen do not receive the accolade and thus are not entitled to use the prefix "Sir" or "Dame". Knights and Dames Grand Cross use the post-nominal "GCMG"; Knights Commanders and Dames Commanders use "KCMG" and "DCMG" respectively; Companions use "CMG". Knights and Dames Grand Cross are also entitled to receive heraldic supporters . They may, furthermore, encircle their arms with

2301-410: The general rule of honours, that a husband never derives any style or title from his wife.) Knights Grand Cross and Knights Commanders prefix "Sir", and Dames Grand Cross and Dames Commanders prefix "Dame", to their forenames. Wives of Knights may prefix "Lady" to their surnames, but husbands of Dames derive no title from their wives. Such forms are not used by peers and princes, except when the names of

2360-497: The implementation of land title legislation, with a particular focus on Ireland. He became the member of the House of Commons as a Liberal for Cambridge from 1868 to 1874, but did not have the opportunity to effect the land reform which was so dear to him. 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, for his services "in connection with

2419-637: The insignia, including from Sir Michael Palin of Monty Python fame, a Knight Commander of the Order In July, the Cabinet Office announced that officers of the Order who were unhappy with their insignia could exchange them for one of the newer models. On certain collar days designated by the Sovereign, members attending formal events may wear the Order's collar over their military uniform or morning wear. When collars are worn (either on collar days or on formal occasions such as coronations),

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2478-710: The latest of these changes was effected. The National Land Titles and Deeds Registration Administration (NLTDRA) became the Land Registration Authority (LRA) which was tasked to continue exercising NLTDRA's powers and functions under existing laws. This was in line with Executive Order No. 292 dated July 25, 1987, instituting the Administrative Code of 1987, which took effect on November 3, 1989. Robert Richard Torrens Sir Robert Richard Torrens , GCMG (31 May 1812 – 31 August 1884), also known as Robert Richard Chute Torrens ,

2537-401: 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

2596-592: The misfortunes of a relation and friend, and that he had been working on the problem for many years. He also said that the idea was based on principles used in transferring shipping property, 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. Torrens

2655-618: The name suggests, are St. Michael the Archangel, and St. George , patron saint of England and of soldiers . One of its primary symbols is that of St Michael trampling over and subduing Satan in battle. The Order is the sixth-most senior in the British honours system , after The Most Noble Order of the Garter , The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle , The Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick , The Most Honourable Order of

2714-523: 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. 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

2773-612: The order, typically as Knights or Dames Grand Cross. In 1965 the order was opened to women, with Evelyn Bark becoming the first female CMG in 1967. The British sovereign is the Sovereign of the Order and appoints all other members of the Order (by convention, on the advice of the Government). The next-most senior member is the Grand Master. The office was formerly filled by the Lord High Commissioner of

2832-733: The stall, so that the stalls of the chapel are festooned with a colourful record of the Order's Knights and Dames Grand Cross since 1906. The reredos within the chapel was commissioned from Henry Poole in 1927. Members of the Order of St Michael are assigned positions in the order of precedence in England and Wales . Wives of male members also feature on the order of precedence, as do sons, daughters and daughters-in-law of Knights Grand Cross and Knights Commanders; relatives of female members, however, are not assigned any special precedence. (Individuals can derive precedence from their fathers or husbands, but not from their mothers or wives. This follows

2891-511: The support of Carl Muecke and the influential German community, he fought it through Parliament despite vigorous opposition from the legal profession. 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. In 1863, Torrens retired and, after a great series of celebration banquets, left Australia and settled back in England. There he gave lectures on and lobbied for

2950-432: 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". 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

3009-407: The various post-nominals stand for. From Series 2, Episode 2 "Doing the Honours": Woolley : In the service, CMG stands for "Call Me God". And KCMG for "Kindly Call Me God". Hacker : What does GCMG stand for? Woolley (deadpan): "God Calls Me God". Ian Fleming's spy, James Bond , a commander in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (RNVR), was fictionally decorated as a CMG in 1953. This

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3068-532: Was Collector of Customs at Adelaide , probably arranged by his father. 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. 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

3127-405: 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. He died of pneumonia at Falmouth on 31 August 1884, aged 70, and was buried at Leusdon Churchyard. His wife, who died in 1899, was interred with him. There is no record of children of his marriage. Torrens' major legacy

3186-424: 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 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. With

3245-412: 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

3304-431: Was in higher office. In the enlarged Legislative Council elected in July 1851, Torrens was one of the four official nominees nominated by the Governor, with the added title of Executive Councillor in 1855–57. He became Colonial Treasurer (a post he held until 1862 ) and Registrar-General of Deeds, one of the best paid offices in Australia, in 1852. When South Australia became self-governing colony in 1856 with

3363-449: Was judicial in nature. The Court of Land Registration exercised jurisdiction over all applicants for the registration of titles to land or building in the Philippines, with the power to hear and determine all questions arising upon such applications. On July 1, 1876 by virtue of Act No. 2347, the jurisdiction over land registration cases of the Court of Land Registration was transferred to the Court of First Instance. A new office, known as

3422-422: Was on the whole well-received, 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. Torrens resigned his seat in parliament and was appointed Registrar-General in order to assist with the Act's application, and in this role he did much to bring about a successful practical transition to the new system. The Act radically altered

3481-406: Was originally awarded to those holding commands or high position in the Mediterranean territories acquired in the Napoleonic Wars , and it was subsequently extended to holders of similar office or position in other territories of the British Empire . It is at present awarded to men and women who hold high office or who render extraordinary or important non-military service to the United Kingdom in

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