CROWS TENANTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 24

CROWS TENANTS.

ALLEGED LAND TRAFFIC. AUCKLAND, January 31

An important question concerning rebates of rent to Crown tenants under the Bush and Swamp Act came before the Auckland Board at its meeting this afternoon. Settlers taking up leases under the act referred to are allowed to hold the land rent free for four yeai-3 after paying the first half year's rent. If. however, they transfer the lease they are required to pay the rent in full up till the date of transfer, and it is optional with the board whether the transferee shall be allowed a. remission for the balance of the unexpired term or four years. It was the latter point that cropped up in connection with the transfer of several leases in the Opotiki district, which have recently changed hands at a considerable profit. The Commissioner (Mr J. M'Kenzie) said thaF the intention of the act, as he took it. was to as3ist settlers in the back country during the early years of their occupation and before the land was productive. If, however, they chose to traffio in the land the concession ought not to be allowed to the incoming tenant. A number of tho cases, he said, indicated that the land was being made Use of for speculative purposes, and a speculator .could take up the land, pay a half gear's rent, do a certain amount of improvements. and then sell out at a huge profit, the transaotion being made more profitable from the fact that the land was rent free to the end of the four years from the time ■when it was originally taken up. This seemed to be the position if the. transferees were allowed the benefit of the rebate. It *as agreed, after considerable discussion, to defer the matter until the next meeting of the board in order that it "night be discussed by a full board.