LAND LAWS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 4 October 1927, Page 8

LAND LAWS

AMENDMENT BILL INTRODUCED PROVISIONS OF THE ACT. (Special to “Tribune.") Wellington, Oct. 4. The Land Laws Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor-General s message into the House of Representatives last night. Where any endowment or otherland is administered by a Land Board on behalf of any public body or other authority provision is made for payment to the Consolidated Fund of an amount equal to five per cent of the revenues in each year for tost of administration. The bill abolishes the office of Crown Lands -anger for which the title of “Field Inspector of Crown Lands" is substituted. In arbitration procedings under the principle Act it is provided that in every case the arbitrators shall appoint a stipendiary magistrate as umpire but tne concurrence of the Minister of Justice must first of all be obtained- This provision will apply to all leases and licenses. A new clause applies to renewed leases and to encumbrances which affect expired leases. Where any mortgaged property has been offered for sale by public auction and has not been disposed of it may, w'ith the consent of the Commissioner of Crown Lands, be sold by private contract. ALLOTMENTS LIMITED. After the passage of the bill it will not be necessary for a Land Board to state in notices of land sales the upset prices at which allotments are to be offered, and it will not be lawful for any person to acquire more than two allottments, which must be eontigious. This provision, which applies to the disposition of town, suburban or village lands, further enacts that, except on the recommendation of the board and with the approval of the Minister, it will not be lawful for a purchaser to transfer his interest in land before the completion of the purchase or the expiration of ten years from the date of the license, wbi ver period is less. A provision in Section 216 of the principal Act relating to the revaluation of rural Crown Lands is to be extended to lands purchased on the system of deferred payment. Application for the right to exercise the privilege of having a revalution made within three years or after six years is to be made to a board consisting of the Under Secretary of Lands, the Valuer-General and the Land Purchase Inspector. Authority is given to extend the term of licenses to occupy Crown Lands with right of purchase frqm December 31, 1927, until the end of December, 1930. ASSESSING VALUE OF LANDS. A further clause in the bill lays down that the cost of opening up Crown and other lands is to be taken into account in assessing the value of these lands for the purpose of their disposal. Power is given to the Land Boards to remit rent on lands which formerly have been held by discharged soldiers, and mortgages of leasehold interests securing advances under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act will apply to the new leases. The Land Board may, with the consent of the Minister, in cases of hardship remit interest payable in respect of mortgages under the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act. 1915. The benefits of the Deteriorated Lands Act are extended to lands purchased under the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act. 1917.