NEW LAND LAWS

Otago Witness, Issue 3212, 6 October 1915, Page 12

NEW LAND LAWS

PROPOSED EXTENSION OF THE FREEHOLD. GUARDING SOLDIERS’ INTERESTS!. (From Our Own Correspondent.) ■ WELLINGTON, September 29. A Land Laws Act Amendment Bill introduced by Governor’s Message this evening, proposes some interesting alterations in the land laws. The regulation providing for a width of 99ft for main roads in a town and 66ft for side roads is amended to allow the Minister to authorise narrow roads where circumstances render it desirable. Where the road is less than 66ft wide no building is to bo erected nearer than 33ft from the middle of the road. Provision is made for the acquisition of the freehold at a price representing the annual rent, capitalised at the rate of 5 per cent, of Crown lands in mining districts, the Hauraki and Westland mining districts being particularly mentioned. Lessees of small grazing runs may also acquire the freehold of the land they occupy even if tiie area is in excess of the prescribed area, provided that such additional area is in the opinion of the land board unsuitable for separate occupation. Another clause provides that any Crown land leased under the 1808 or any former land Act may be loaded with the cost of any reading, drainage, or other works carried out for the improvement cl such lands, and the capital value of the various holdings may be thus added to in any proportion which the Minister considers just. The respective leases will thereupon be deemed to be modified accordingly. Full provision is made for the remission of rents where considered desirable in favour of members of the expeditionary forces, but no exemption shall operate so as to apply to any period after the expiry of six months from the date of a soldier’s discharge from military service. Authority is given for authorised agents to select lands on behalf of members of the expeditionary forces or to represent them at land ballots.