LAND LAWS AMDT BILL INTRODUCED IN HOUSE

Horowhenua Chronicle, 4 October 1927, Page 7

LAND LAWS AMDT BILL INTRODUCED IN HOUSE

MAIN PROVISIONS. WELLINGTON, Last Night. The Land Laws Amendment Bill was introduced by the Governor-General’s message into the House to-night.

- Where any endowment or other land is administered by the Land Board on behalf of any public body or other authority, provision is made for payment to the Consolidation Fund of an amount equal to five per cent of revenues in each year for cost of administration.

The Bill abolishes the office ot Crown Lands’ ranger for which the title of field inspector of Crown Lands is substituted.

In Arbitration proceedings sunder the principal Act it is provided that in every case the arbitrators shall appoint a stipendiary magistrate us umpire. But the concurrence of the Minister of Justice must first of all be obtained. This provision will apply to all leases and licenses. Where any mortgaged property has been offered for sale by public auction and has not been disposed of, it may with the consent of of the Commissioner of Crown Lands be sold by private contract.

After the passage of the Bill it will not bo necessary for the Land Board to state in notices of land sales upset prices at which allotments are to be offered, and it will not be lawful for any person’ to acquire more than two allotments which most be contiguous. This provision, which applies to a disposition of town, suburban or villagelands, further enacts that except on the recommendation of the Board and with the approval of the Minister, it will be unlawful for a purchaser to transfer his interest in the land before the completion of the purchase or the expiration of ten years from the date of license, whichever period is loss. The provision in section 216 of the principal Act relating to revaluation of rural Crown Lands is to be extended to lands purchased on the system of deferred payment. The period within which revaluations shall be made has been extended from three to six years and revaluations shall be carried 'out by 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 a right of purchase from 81st December 1927, until the end of December 1930. 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 Land Boards to remit rent on lands which formerly have been held by discharged soldiers and mortgages of leasehold Interests securing advances under the District Soldiers Settlement Act will apply to the new leases. The Land Board may with the consent of the Minister in cases of hardship remit the 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.