SHELTER BELTS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 26, 31 January 1923, Page 6

SHELTER BELTS

NOT LIABLE FOR DEATH DUTY.

inquiries have been made recently for information respecting death, duties payable on plantations, or any trees, native or otherwise, ■ planted .by farmers and others. A "Post" reporter who submitted the question to the State Forest Service was informed that, broadly speaking, all property of a deceased person situated in New Zealand at the time of his death was subject to death duties in terms of the Death Dnties Act,- KSI. However, with regard to plantations, shelter belts, or any trees planted on the property of a deceased person, Section 2 of the Valnation of Land Act, 1908 (as amended in 1912), defined "land" as follows :—

"Land means all land, tenements, and hereditaments, whether corporeal or incorporeal, jn New Zealand, ajnd all chattel or other interestes therein, and all timber or ,flax growing or standing thereon. Provided that native bush or trees whkih have been planted for shelter or ornamental or utility purposes shall not be included in the definition of land in this section."

Judging by the wording of the section quoted, all trees planted as shelter belts, ■plantations, etc., were exergpt from death duties in a deceased person's estate.