SUBDIVISION OF LAND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 31 July 1924, Page 4

SUBDIVISION OF LAND

AREAS FOR RESERVES

(United Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, This Day

The enforcement of the provision in the Land Act for the taking of 5 per cent, of area under subdivision for pub lie reserves was the subject of a depu tation to the Minister of Lands to-day, Tlie deputation consisted chiefly of representatives of public boilics in Christ, church.

Mi- Bridge, representing the Dominion Institute of Surveyors, said the land in question was both town and country land, and provision for a 5 per cent, contribution to reserves was felt to press very hard. The rule at present was that no' area under four acres should be. asked to furnish a reserve. Reserves should be of some real public utility and the Institute had no objection to reserves being taken from large areas on subdivision. The area reserved should be of real benefit to the community. The speaker quoted instances of hardship on property owners on the proposed subdivisions, and asked that a more reasonable interpretation should be given. Mr Beswiek, representing the Canterbury Law Society, Mr Witty, M.P., Mr McCombs, M.P., Mr Armstrong, M.P., and Mr Sullivan, M.P., also spoke. The Minister, replying, said no doubt subdivision of land in country districts was hampered by adherence to the. strict letter of the law. Anything that hampered reasonable subdivision wap not good for the community. He would like to say that many public bodies were protesting against any interference with the law, but probably this was in ignorance „[ the suggestion of a 5 per cent, monetary contribution in lieu of land. If they could get a better system whereby subdivision would be encouraged be was quite sure some of the pastoral.land now in large areas would come into subdivision more quickly, and that was desirable. If anything were done during the present session it should be in a general town planning Bill. * ...