THE LAND QUESTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 1049, 1 May 1865, Page 4

THE LAND QUESTION.

The Government have given notice of the following resolutions, to be moved in the Provincial Council on Tuesday next:— 1. That it is advisable to consolidate the various Land Acts and Regulations nfiecting the Province of Otago, with a view to the removal of practical difficulties in their administration. 2. That the Land Sales and Leases Ordinances be not incorporated in the Consolidated Act, saving existing rights. 3. That it is advisable to continue the present system of. Hundreds. 4. That twelve months prior to each o£ the now existing leases of the various runs falling in it is desirable to offer a renewal of the lease to the then occupier subject to the following conditions :— Ist. That an assessor or assessors who ! shall be appointed by the Superintendent and approved of by the Provincial Council shall estimate the . carrying capacity of the run. 2nd. That a rate of per head, for sheep, and per head for cattle be annually levied on the entire quantity of stock that the run is estimated capable of carrying. :srd. That the lerfses be granted for such periods as may be determined by the Waste Land Board, not in any case to exceed ten years. .1. That should any licensee decline to become the lessee of the run in his occupation at the assessed rental, then the run shall be put up to public auction, under direction of the Waste Land Board, cither in whole or subdivided, if the Board shall consider it expedient, and let to the highest bidder. 6. That the assessment shall be paid one year in advance. 7. That any purchaser of the lease of a run shall within one month after the purchase give to the Hoard satisfactory security that he will perform the conditions of purchase. 8. That as renewed leases fall in the runs shall be again assessed, as provided for in resolution 4, sub-section 1. 1). The lessees under renewed leases, or lessees who have purchased leases of runs put up to auction, shall be entitled to valuation for improvements in necessary buildings, plantations, fences, and ditches for drainage ; the improvements in no case to exceed years of the assessed rental. 10. That such lessees shall, twelve months before the termination of their leases, he allowed a further renewal at the assessed rental; but if they decline to accept of a renewal the run shall be treated as provided for in Resolution 5, and the incoming tenant shall pay for the improvements at the assessed value. 11. That the improvements shall be valued by the assessor or assessors appointed by the Superintendent and approved by the Council as provided in Resolution 4, sub-section 1. 12. That holders of agricultural leases on Gold Fields shall, at the termination of their leases, have the option of purchasing the land held on lease at the then upset price, provided the Government do not elect to take the land and give valuation for improvements. K5. That those who purchased lands more than four years before the Otago Waste Lands Act, No. 2, 180,'!, came into operation, and did not elect to come under any of the provisions of the Bth Clause of the Act, shall be charged the tax of iis per acre until they complete improvements to the amount of 40.s per acre; the tax to he levied as commencing from tne 20th March, 1805. 14 That those who purchased land less than four years before the "Otago Waste Lands A.ct, 18(j.'$,'% came into operation, and did not make an election as therein provided, shall be charged the tax of two shillings immediately on the termination of the four years allowed by the " Waste Lands Regulations, 18.56," until they have completed their improvements.