THE CANTERBURY RUNS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13905, 2 December 1910, Page 7

THE CANTERBURY RUNS.

M , EXPLANATION OF THE CLAUSE IN "WASHING UP" BILL. (special to "the press.") WELLINGTON, December 1. The following explanatory note has been circulated regarding the Canterbury runs clauso in the "washing up" Bill —clause No. 92 enabling payment for improvements on pastoral runs to be satisfactorily arranged for, and for tho re-letting of pastoral runs by application and ballot instead of auction. Tlie licenses of a great number of pastoral runs in the Canterbury district are expiring, but as the value of improvements under the Land Act requires to be paid for in cash by the new tenant prior to his being permitted to enter into occupation, and as this amount is sometimes very high, the condition considerably restricts the number of intending applicants for such runs when offered. This clause enables tho payment for improvements to be made by the incoming tenant by means of periodical instalments of principal and interest, or elso the amount can bo added to the unimproved value of the runs, and the new rent fixed on tlte total. Tiie method to be adopted wall depend in each caso on tho circumstances, but in all cases the Government pays the outgoing tenant the value of his improvements, and then arranges for repayment by tho new tenant in the most satisfactory manner. By this means there will be nothing to deter any suitable sheep farmer from competing for the rums when re-offered next year, and in place of the present auction disposal the letting will be by means of application with subsequent ballots Avhen there are more applicants than one. When the clause regarding the Canterbury runs in the "washing up" Bill was taken in Committee, Mr Buxton said that generally the clause was satisfactory. He would ,_ however, have liked some provision for tree planting each year. Sir Joseph Ward sail they could only try and arrange this. The clause was agreed to on the voices.

CABLE NEWS.