CROWN LAND LEASES.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 2500, 15 June 1920, Page 7

CROWN LAND LEASES.

CHECK TO TRAFFICKING. At a meeting ot' the Canterbury hand Board ah important discussion took place in respect of transfers of Crown leases carrying a large goodwill when the transferor has only held the lease for a comparatively short period. Instances were referred to in which lessees who had only hold their leases for less than one year had applied for transfer from the previous lessee last year, the goodwill paid being £3200, and he was now asking £6700 as goodwill. The Board decided that it was .contrary to the policy of the Crown to allow trafficking in such leases, and in future the Board will not consider applications for transfers unless the applicant lias hold the lease for at least two years, except special circumstances can be shown. Ilie question of trafficking in Crown leaseholds was also discussed hv the Otago Land Board. A member of the Board suggested that a “black list” of .speculators should be compiled and that this Ti.st should be circulated among all Land Boards throughout the Dominion, so as to prevent a trafficker whose operations have been stopped in one district from seeking a new outlet for his objectionable activities. .Although no formal resolution was adopted, the Board decided to keep the matter prominently before it. so as to do all in its power to eliminate the practice.