The council was proclaimed on 8 August 1872, comprising the whole of the cadastral Hundred of Hanson.[2] Its foundation was controversial: it had reportedly been supported by 40 farmers representing 13,000 acres and opposed by 48 farmers representing "about the same quantity of land", in addition to two large landholders representing 33,000 acres. The opponents of the council claimed that the proponents were mostly within the government town of Hanson (now Farrell Flat), and that most of the proposed district did not share a common interest with the town. However, those who supported the council were successful when the government decided to "extend the advantages of self-government" and recommended its proclamation. There was further controversy later in the year when the government appointed an opponent as a councillor to replace a supporter who had been disqualified.[3][4]
The council was divided into five wards in November 1873: Eastern Ward, Gum Creek Ward, Hanson Ward, Western Ward and North-Eastern Ward.[5] Gum Creek Ward and Western Ward were amalgamated into a Middle Ward in 1879, while the North-Eastern Ward became the North Ward during the 1870s and was later abolished.[6][7][8]
A tender for a council chamber for the new council was accepted in 1874 at the "Torreston" subdivision at what is now Farrell Flat.[9][10][11] This first chamber was vacated in 1878 and leased to the Education Department for school purposes, while the council selected a site for a new chamber and began construction later that year.[12][13] In 1923, the council was meeting "for the matter of convenience" at Kooringa in Burra.[14]
In 1923, it was described as a "small agricultural district" with an area of 77,440 acres, with the capital value of ratable property being £329,940. It had a population of 641 persons, residing in 148 dwellings, at the 1921 census.[14]
^"DEPUTATION". South Australian Register. Vol. XXXVII, no. 8003. South Australia. 11 July 1872. p. 3. Retrieved 4 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
^"District Council". Adelaide Observer. Vol. XXXVI, no. 1967. South Australia. 14 June 1879. p. 4. Retrieved 4 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Hanson District Council". Burra Record. Vol. XXXXIV, no. 36. South Australia. 6 September 1922. p. 3. Retrieved 4 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
^"HANSON, [No date.]". Adelaide Observer. Vol. XXXI, no. 1687. South Australia. 31 January 1874. p. 6. Retrieved 4 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
^"NOTES BY THE WAY". The Express and Telegraph. Vol. XI, no. 3, 219. South Australia. 18 July 1874. p. 3 (SECOND EDITION.). Retrieved 4 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
^"FARRELL'S FLAT". The Northern Argus. Vol. XI, no. 880. South Australia. 27 January 1880. p. 2. Retrieved 4 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
^"District Council of Hanson". Burra Record. Vol. XXXIX, no. 42. South Australia. 17 October 1917. p. 3. Retrieved 4 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
^"District Council of Hanson". Burra Record. Vol. XXXX, no. 4. South Australia. 30 January 1918. p. 3. Retrieved 4 November 2016 – via National Library of Australia.