THE LAND COMMISSION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2677, 5 July 1905, Page 25

THE LAND COMMISSION.

WELLINGTON, June 27. At the Land Commission the Valuergeneral (Mr Campbell) put in a return of the Crown lands of the colony held under leasein perpetuity conditions, under small-graz-iag-run conditions, perpetual-lease conditions, and occupation-with-right-of-purchase conditions. Mr Campbell gave particulars illustrating the rises in value of Crown land 3, as shown by his departmental records. Under leases in perpetuity the present values, apart from the leasees' own improvements, were £2,795,821 ; while for ordinary and village homestead and improved farm settlements tha values were £1,822,583. Small grazing runs were valued at 5131,054in respect of land for settlement holdings, and at £1,640,192 for ordinary. The buildings in perpetual leases are valued at £174,834, wh.ls occupation with right of purchase holdings are set down at £1,043,095, all of which totals aggregate £7,608,580. The original values put on lands by the Department totalled £6,635.975, but these tcok no cognisance of the tenants' own improvements. Questioned as to the comparatively small Jnorease in value indicated by these figures, Mr Campbell said the returns given to the commission from other quarters were based on a more comprehensive scheme. For instance, when the Crown bought a property, it generally bought at the full value price, in addition to the money paid for roading, surveying 1 , and. oiber costs attached to acquiring and' (subdividing land as offered for sale at "the" enhanced price thus caused, and naturally it took two or three years for the unimproved values on which the Department worked to' reach the Government selling values.

A conversation took place between the witness and Mr Johnston regarding the unearned increments accruing to holders on land under the Land for Settlements Act. Mr Campbell said it %vas difficult to get a tenant to admit there was any unearned increment. That had been found in the Assessment Courts. Mr Johnston cited the case of a South Island selector who sold ooutt t of his small grazing run lease at a figure that amounted to 10s per acre unimproved value, which was purely profit to the seller. So far as taking evidence is concerned, the Land Commission concluded its labours this evening.

The Valuer- general (Mr G. F. 0- Campbell), in course of evidence, denied that instructions had ever been issued to valuers under the Department to assess the values on schedule prices for bush-felling or other work. It had always been recognised that the expert employed was the judge of va-lue. No distinction was made in valuing improvements on different tenures.

July 3. The Land Commission held a special sitting to-day for the purpose of hearing the testimony of several settlers who had journeyed from Westland for fche nurpose of giving evidence.

Thomas Duff, chairman of the Westland County Council, said he thought the Crown should retain possession of its lands. There had been an increase in the value of land in his district.

Albert Wheeler, holder of 200 acres in tbe Poerua Settlement on lease in jierpetuity, said the settlement was progressing very satisfactorily. Since roads were formed the land had greatly increased in value. He thought settlers should be allowed to .pay 75 per cent, off th© capital value of their holdings. The loading on the settlement was £936. but £2971 had been spent on road formation.

One of the commissioners asked how such a result could be brought about when other parts of the colony were comp.aining that the amount of loading had not been expended. Witness : "We had Dick Seddon for a member. — (Laughter. ) Other witnesses favoured the leasehold.