In an idle moment, I wondered when the electric telegraph had been laid through Jamieson's Special Survey en route to the Sanitary Station at Point Nepean, and with the side tracks that often lead me astray, discovered that William Biggam had been invited to apply for the lease of the Mount Martha Run in 1850*. I am sure that I have read in heritage studies that James Hearn was the last lessee and that I have downloaded these studies but identifying the right one could take weeks, which I can't afford to spend the time doing. This claim was made in the citation for the pre-emptive right, Dalkeith Park, which I should be able to find quickly with a google search but the Mornington Peninsula Shire has excelled in hiding such citations in the past.

* COUNTY OF MORNINGTON.
1. Alexander Balcombe, eight square miles Checkengoork, Mount Martha.
2. William Biggam, five square miles, Mount Martha, near Jamieson's Special Survey.......
10. Andrew M. M'Crae, eight square miles,Arthur's Seat, Jamieson's Special Survey.
(P.4, The Melbourne Daily News, 21-5-1850.)

The boundary between 1 and 2 was probably indicated by Range Rd (or the southern boundary of The Briars) with Ellerina Rd being the boundary between 2 and the Survey. The boundary between the survey and the Arthurs Seat Run was Pt Nepean Rd/Myers Rd east from Melway 160 A4 to 161 J7.

William Vale's letter seems to support the claim of Hearn leasing the run but it must have been for a short period only.
"But the other day, and the whole of the district was divided into squatters runs of which tho owners were Messrs. McMahon, Baxter, Wedge, Davy, Hunter, Yuille, Balcombe, Hearn, Riddle, and others."
(P.7, Argus, 27-12-1855.)

Leslie Moorhead in his history of Osbourne State School claimed that the Mount Martha Run and the Survey were combined as the MOUNT MARTHA SHEEP STATION. This would imply that both huge properties were in the control if not ownership of the same man. That man was James Hearn's brother in law, Big Clarke. who during the 1850's had bought the survey bit by bit according to LIME LAND LEISURE and owned the whole 8 square miles (5120 acres) until he sold the northern fifth of the survey to John Vans Agnew Bruce after whom Bruce Rd was named. The aforesaid SHEEP STATION would have existed until this portion was sold.

James Hearn had married W.J.T.(Big) Clarke's sister, as demonstrated in other journals so it is no surprise that he had appointed his brother in law as one of his executors. Robert Watson, (after whom Watson Drive was named) purchased most of James Hearn's grants for the benefit of his health but sold most of his estate to a company which almost certainly became insolvent within a few years because of the 1890's depression, the reason ownership of unsold lots had reverted to him. The heritage studies called his house Melville AND Melrose House, not Mount Martha House and also gave two different years of purchase. As far as I know, Mount Martha Hotel, a drawcard to attract buyers in the land boom of the late 1880's, and now a community house, is of weatherboard construction, not brick.

SEEKING PROBATE.
IN the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria: In
its Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.-In the WILL of
JAMES HEARN, late of the Parish ol Yuroke, In tho
County of Bourke, In the Colony of Victoria, Settler,
deceased.-Notice is hereby given to all partios Inter-
ested, that after the oxplratlon of fourteen days from
the date of the publication hereof, application will be
made to the Supreme Court of the colony of Victoria,
in its Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, that Probate of the
last Will and Testament of the abovenamed James
Hearn, deceased, may bo granted to William John
Turnor Olarke, of Melbourne, in the said colony of
Victoria, gentleman, and John Brown, of the same
placo, merchant, two of the executors named in and
appointed by the will of the said James Hearn, de-
ceased, reservlng to Hugh M'Phillimy, of Geelong, in
the said colony, wine and spirit merchant, and Alox
ander Brock, of Mount Macedon, in the said colony,
settler, two others of the executors named In and ap-
pointed by the said will power to come in and prove
the same at any time. .
Dated this 28th day of September, A.D. 1857.
SELWYN and KLINGENDER, Llttlo Collins street
west, Melbourne, Proctors for the said William John
Turner Clarke and John Brown. (P.8, Argus, 29-9-1857.)

ROBERT WATSON'S ESTATE.
GEMMEL, TUCKETT, and Co. (in conjunction
with J. E. WORRELL) have received in-
struction from THE EXECUTORS of the LATE
ROBERT WATSON, Esq., to OFFER for SALE by
PUBLIC AUCTION, at the rooms, as above,
LOT 1.
ALL THAT handsome, commodious, and
pleasantly-situated property, known as
MOUNT MARTHA HOUSE,
formerly the residence of the late
ROBERT WATSON, Esq.,
with 150 acres of land, beautifully laid out in
gardens, orchard, and paddocks, commanding
lovely views of the bay.
In addition to being an ideal seaside residence,
its GOLF LINKS are justly reckoned to be second
to none in the colony.
THE HOUSE IS BUILT OF GRANITE, and con-
tains 10 rooms, with ample servants' premises out-
side, stabling, and other conveniences. It is in the
occupation of Alexander MacNeil, Esq., on a
tenancy expiring 1st January next.
No expense was spared by the late owner on this
lovely home, and the purchaser will get the bene-
fit of the MANY THOUSAND POUNDS EXPENDED
by him.
THE FURNITURE can be had at a valuation.
LOT 2.
ALL THAT well-built and pleasantly-situ-
ated property, known as OSBORNE-HOUSE,
with 51 acres of land, also commanding de-
lightful views of the bay. Part of this land
consists of subdivisional roads.
The house contains six rooms, kitchen, and out-
side conveniences. Portions of this land comprise
rich soil along Balcombe's Creek. This property is
particularly suitable for fruit-growing and garden
purposes.
LOT 3.
ALL THAT valuable freehold property, be-
ing the remaining land unsold of the well-
known Mount Martha Estate Company Limi-
ted, consisting, inclusive of roads and re-
serves, OF 1269 ACRES 0 ROODS 24
PERCHES, or thereabouts, subdivided into
good-sized allotments, with roads and
avenues laid out as shown by the plans of
subdivision lodged in the Office of Titles,
being the untransferred land comprised in
certificate of title, vol. 2208, fol. 441, 588.
A small part of this property consists of five
blocks FRONTING THE ESPLANADE, and ad-
joining the hotel. On the land are TWO SUB-
STANTIAL GRANITE DWELLINGS, formerly Mr.
Watson's lodges, one on the Esplanade and the
other on the main Nepean-road.
This lot is a mortgagee's sale.
LOT 4.
ALL THOSE pieces of land, containing 31
ACRES, or thereabouts, being Crown Allot-
ments 29, 30, 31, 34, and 35 of Section A,
parish of Moorooduc, with a frontage to the
main Nepean-road, adjoining the Quarry Re-
serve, Balcombe's Creek.
LOT 5.
FARM, CONTAINING 740 ACRES 2 ROODS or
thereabouts, known as DALKEITH-PARK,
being Crown Section 33 and part of Crown
Section E, parish of Moorooduc, including
part of old Mount Martha pre-emptive sec-
tion, with NEWLY-ERECTED BRICK RESI-
DENCE thereon, now in the occupation of
Mr. Alfred Head.
The soil is rich, suitable for agriculture, on flats
at foot of Mount Martha.
LOT 6.
FARM, CONTAINING 546 ACRES or there-
abouts, known as ST. JAMES'S PARK, being
part of Crown Sections E and 31, parish of
Moorooduc, including other part of old pre-
emptive section, now in the occupation of
Messrs. Brady Brothers and Head; also con-
taining rich flats.
Both of these farms are situated on the main
Nepean-road, within five miles of the Mornington
railway station and Butter Factory. Mail coaches
and cream carts pass these properties. A consi-
derable portion of the land has been cultivated,
and is all well grassed, cleaned up land.
LOT 7.
ALL THOSE pieces of land containing 12
ACRES and 23 PERCHES or thereabouts,
being Crown Allotments 43 and 44, Section
B, parish of Moorooduc, formerly known as
"Hutchins' Paddock," opposite Balcombe's
Creek, on the road leading from the beach to
Osborne-house.
All the above properties are for ABSOLUTE
SALE for the purpose of winding up the estate,
and present a splendid opportunity for investors
in seaside properties, farms, and fruit-growing
properties.
The property known as MOUNT MARTHA
ESTATE COMPANY'S LAND has been subdivided,
roads and avenues laid out, and should afford a
very desirable investment for syndicates or capi-
talists for a re-sale.
The climate of Mount Martha is famed for its
HEALTH-GIVING PROPERTIES, and many in-
valids have gone back wholly restored to health.
The beautiful residences of Dr. Balls Headley, H.
Byron Moore, Esq., and other gentlemen are in the
immediate vicinity.
Titles certificates, save as to two or three blocks
in Lot 4, particulars of which may be obtained from
Messrs. Lewis, Hedderwick, and Fookes, solicitors,
414 Little Collins-street, Melbourne.
(P.2, Argus, 15-11-1900.)

Alf Head of Fern Valley near Stony Creek Rd and Brady (Of Mount Evergreen) were neighbours near Mornington-Flinders Rd.

IS THIS JUST COINCIDENCE OR WHAT?
IF Mr. WILLIAM BIGGAM , from Salchrie, (brother in-law of Captain Robert Watson,) will apply to the chief officer of tho Royal Charter, he will hear news of his friends.(P.1, Argus,23-3-1858.)

I don't recall Robert Watson being a skipper; my impression from the studies was that he was a businessman.
Mentions of William Biggam in the 1850's were only in connection with the run, the good news and bad news-insolvency in 1859.
Mr Jacomb, official assignee. — William Biggam, miner, of Daylesford. Liabilities, £68 14s ; assets, nil ; deficiency, £68 14s. Causes of insolvency, pressure of a creditor and want of means to carry on his employment.
(P.6, The Age, 30-5-1859.)