PARLIAMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 October 1928, Page 3

PARLIAMENT

WEST COAST—OTA.GO ROAD.

(Special to “Star.”l

WELLINGTON, October 1. Gratification was expressed by Mr Seddon in the House to-day at the Government’s decision to construct a road that would link up the West Coast with Otago. Last year, he.said,, the Premier and Minister ot Public Works had stated that the Department had an estimate for the work of about £50,000. Probably that was too liberal an estimate of the cost, wlliich might be considerably reduced. The Department, he understood, was now intent upon proceeding with the work, and the first thing it was going to do was to have a new line surveyed to shorten the route. The survey work would commence as soon, as the session was over. He was sure that it was a matter of great satisfaction to Otago people, the Progress League, and to every person who had moved in the matter that the work was now going to be carried out. He was sure that the new route would lessen the cost of construction by about a quarter of what was suggested at the present time. Mr Seddon also expressed pleasure that £19,000 was to be spent on the construction of the Greymouth-West-port road. That work, he believed, would be completed in the next few months.

MAIN HIGHWAYS

The Main Highways Amendment Bill, introduced in the House to-day, authorises the Main Highways Board to construct and maintain mam highways without contribution from local authorities, or to provide a greater proportion of cost than is fixed by the principal Act. If a local body has already contributed more than its proportion of cost in respect of work carried out since April 1 last, the excess may be refunded. The Board is also authorised to expend moneys on combined road and railway bridges. RURAL LANDS PURCHASE. Legislation designed to empowei the Crown., to acquire Private rural lands for settlement on behalt ot settlers or groups of settlers, was introduced in the House to-day, m the Land Laws Amendment Bill. It pi ovides that any two or more persons may apply to the Dominion Land Purchase Board with a view to acquisition by the crown on their behalf of any private rural land, Applications must be accompanied by a written offer for sale of the land to the Crown, made by or on behalf of the owner. A plan showing the proposed sub-division as between the applicants, and such documentary evidence as may be required with respect to the means of applicants in relation' to the purchase of respective sub-divisions, stocking of land etc. If the Purchase Board is of opinion that the land is suitable, it is to refer the application to the Land Board for consideration and report, and on receipt of the Board’s recommendations, the Minister of Lands may direct the Land Purchase Board to negotiate with the owner for acquisition of the land at a price to be determined by the Board, but not exceeding the price specified in the offer. The applicants are required to pay to the Receiver of Land Revenue, before the land is acquired, not less than five per cent, of the estimated price. Any land acquired under, the Bill may be sold without competition for cash, or on deferred payments, at prices fixed in accordance with the provisions of the principal Act, but may not be disposed of otherwise. In case of a purchase for cash, the deposit is to be credited to the purchaser on account of the whole sum due on the land. If the purchase is to be on deferred payment system, the deposit is to be credited on account of total purchase price, the balance being paid as prescribed. . On respect of leases in perpetuity, if the purchase fails to complete purchase or to execute his license within thirty days, the deposit may be forfeited to the Crown, and the right to purchase, will then cease. The Bill also provides that an occupier’s interest in Crown Lands may be sold for non-payment of rates. The lessees of lands in the Cheviot estate are given power to acquire the fees simple of their holdings.