CROWN LEASEHOLDS.

Kaikoura Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 63, 14 August 1944, Page 2

CROWN LEASEHOLDS.

POLICY ENUNCIATED BY THE CANTERBURY LAND BOARD.

What was described as a departure in policy was enunciated by special resolution at a meeting of the Canterbury Land Board in Christchurch on Wednesday last. It had been noted that numbers of Crown leasehold farms suitable for the of former servicemen were being transfererd to civilians. The Board was, therefore, of opinion, in view of the increasing number of returned servicemen desirous of taking up farms, that Crown lessees wishing to transfer their holdings, should give those men the first refusal.

It was not generally known by the public, it was stated, that transfers of 'Crown leaseholds did not require the consent of the Land Sales Committee, but did require the consent of the Land Board.

The Board passed the following resolution: “That when any application for the Board’s consent to the transfer of a lease or licence is lodged, evidence shall be provided that the lessee or licensee has previously given at least one month’s notice in writing to the nearest Rehabilitation Committee offering to sell his interest in the property to any returned serviceman on the same lines and conditions contained in the transaction for which application has been made for the Board’s consent, also that such committee has advised the lessee or licensee that there is no serviceman eligible or waiting to accept the offer.” Why not go further, and invite all, property owners who intend to dispose of their properties to first make these properties available to the Rehabilitation Department?