A PUZZLING POINT IN THE LAND LAWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2735, 15 August 1906, Page 23

A PUZZLING POINT IN THE LAND LAWS.

WELLINGTON, August 10. Sitting in Banco, his Honor the Chief Justice had before him a case in regard to "The Land Act, 1892," and of "The Bu»h and Swamp Crown Lands Settlement Act 1903." and in the matter of section 3, block KIT, Ngamatea, and of an application by Edgar Aiundel Lewis to transfer a license of the said land. Th© case was submitted under section 55 of "The Land Act, 1892," for the opinion of the court. The case, as stated, showed that Lewis isihe holder of section 3. block XIV. Ngamatea, under the Bush and Swamp Crown Lands Settlement Act by virtue of a license dated August 4, 1904, and the land comprised in the license is light bush land. Lewis pa:d the first half-year's rent under the license on the date mentioned, and that was the only instalment of rent paid by him. In August, 1905, Lewis applied to the Land Board, Wellington, for its consent to the transfer of the license from him ta Richard

Baddeley. The Land Board, before approving the transfer, required Lewis to pay the whole amount of three years* rental. He declined to comply with this requirement, and contends that he is not, and ought not to be, required to pay any greater sum than the sum representing the rent reserved under the license for the halfyear ended December 1, 1905, which Baddeley has deposited with the receiver of land revenue. JL'ho case is submitted on the motion of the Land Board and al c o at the request and instance of Lewis and Baddeley. His Honor, having heard counsel in argument, said it was one of the most puzzling cases which he had m<»t with for a. long time. Judgment was reserved.