REPORT OF THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL OF LAND, FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30TH JUNE, 1871.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1871 Session I, G-12

G.—No. 12.

REPORT OF THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL OF LAND, FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30TH JUNE, 1871.

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OP THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BY COMMAND OP HIS EXCELLENCY.

WELLINGTON.

1871.

G.—No. 12

Mr. Mooeiiouse to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Sir — I have the honor to report, for the information of Parliament, that on the Ist day of October last, His Excellency the Governor was pleased to appoint me to the office of Registrar-General of Land, under the provisions of " The Land Transfer Act, 1870 ;" and that, following your instruction, I immediately commenced a study of the Land Transfer system, in relation to the circumstances of the Colony, with a view to organizing the new department. I then proceeded to visit the chief towns of the Colony for the purpose of thoroughly acquainting myself with the requirements of the several districts, and of placing myself in a position to advise Government as to what persons were qualified to fill any necessary appointments with the largest prospect of success. Regarding the effective introduction of the system throughout the Colony, the following capital inquiries immediately suggested themselves, — 1. Into how many districts should the Colony be divided ? 2. AVas it imperatively necessary that the District Land Registrars as well as the Examiners of Titles should be lawyers ? A determination of these questions was felt to be a matter of serious importance; and before advising upon these points, I had the honor, with the concurrence of Government, after carefully studying the Land Transfer Act, and more especially considering the great responsibility to be incurred by Government in respect of the assurances of titles, to state my opinion that in every case the public funds should be protected against accident by submitting all applications for registration to careful examination by two competent lawyers in each District Office. On the arrival in AVellington of Mr. Gawler, Counsel to the Lands Titles Commissioners, South Australia, who had accepted the invitation of tho Government to visit New Zealand for the purpose of assisting in the launching of the new system of registration in this Colony, I at once placed myself in communication with him, and obtained much valuable advice. After repeated conferences with Government on the subject of economizing the public expenditure, by effecting combinations of the two offices of District Land Registrar and Registrar of Deeds, I was requested to recommend the names of barristers and solicitors to fill the offices, and also to report my opinion as to the number of districts which it would be advisable to constitute, together with an estimate of the salaries and other expenses of the department during the first year of its existence. Accordingly, on the 14th of January last, I reported to Government in favour of proclaiming " all the existing Deeds Registration Districts as Land Registration Districts, under clause 5 of the Act." His Excellency the Governor, by a Proclamation dated the 31st day of January, constituted the several Deeds Registration Districts throughout the Colony as Land Registration Districts, for the purposes of the Land Transfer Act. His Excellency was also pleased to appoint the several gentlemen I had the honor to recommend as Registrars and Examiners in all the Districts excepting Marlborough, in which Province the Land Transfer system has not as yet been brought into operation. With the sanction of Government, I called together, at Wellington, during the month of January, several of the District Registrars, for the purpose of meeting Mr. Gawler and conferring with him on the nature and uses of the Torrens system, having special regard to the practice of the Adelaide office. Mr. Gawler gave very valuable information at the conference, which extended over several days. The Act was brought into operation on the Ist of February, in the Districts of Auckland, Otago, Canterbury, and Wellington, in which places the necessary arrangements had previously been completed. The Nelson office was opened on the 15th February ; those at Southland and Hawke's Bay on the Ist March ; the Taranaki office on the 15th March ; and the Westland office on the 26th June. Subjoined are returns showing the amount of business done in the several districts, and the fees received up to the 30th June. Appended are also copies of my report of the 14th January ; memorandum of the 19th January, disclosing my estimate of the probable cost of the department during a portion of the late financial year ; and other documents of interest. Considering that the South Australian Act has been adopted by the Legislature almost unaltered, together with the further obvious fact that the circumstances of that Colony are somewhat different to those of New Zealand, it will not be surprising that some amendments are required in the Act of last Session. But the amendments I would suggest do not in the least trench upon the main principles of the existing measure, of which I most heartily approve. I have gathered material for the compilation of a suggestive Draft Amendment Bill, from a variety of sources, but am mainly indebted to the labours of some of the very able lawyers who have accepted service in this department. The appointment of Land Brokers, so far as the experiment has been tried, has been found to be a great help to the popular acceptance of the new system. So far as I have had an opportunity of judging, the legal profession generally has not been more zealous in its acceptance of the measure than might have been expected by those who are in a position to judge of the extent to which the interests of the lawyers were likely to be affected. As a rule, the eminent lawyers of the Colony unhesitatingly confess the very great boon which this measure has been

Preliminary action.

Questions for decision.

Arrival of Mr. Gawler.

Proclamation of districts and appointment of officers.

Conference of Eegistrars.

Papers annexed.

Amendments required in Act.

Land Brokers. Attitude of legal profession.

REPORT OF THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL OF LAND.

and is likely to be to the public, and have assisted greatly in introducing business into some of the offices. But the material profits of conveyancing practice will be so seriously disturbed by the public acceptance of Mr. Torrens' scheme, that it is not natural to expect to see lawyers as a body voluntarily exchanging the present emoluments of practice for the comparatively insignificant fees derivable under the Land Transfer Act. It has, however, throughout all the districts, been a matter for congratulation, that the legal profession have in very few cases exhibited that hostility which, had it been exerted, would not under the circumstances have occasioned any surprise. One circumstance, however, may be stated as significant of the legal appreciation of the uses of the Act, namely, that most of the titles submitted for registration by the profession are in some degree defective—not radically bad, yet not easily marketable. These titles are called by the profession " holding titles," as contra-distinguished from " marketable titles." In fact, the department is indebted to the legal profession for a large number of troublesome titles, involving inconsiderable values, and in respect of which the prospect of professional fees is not encouraging. In dealing with titles of this class, my instruction has been to render, through th e office, every assistance in the amendment of the title previous to its being registered, and so guaranteed by the Government; but in no case is a title which involves any patent risk of a call upon the Assurance Fund to be entertained. Under the law, and the practice of the department, any title, however long and complex, may be investigated at a cost to the applicant of five shillings only; for, in the event of our declining to issue a certificate, we return all the fees deposited, with the exception of that amount. This scrutiny in a private office would cost the client a sum varying from one guinea to five hundred pounds. After the Legislature has effected some necessary amendments in the Act, I would advise that Government sanction the publication of a hand-book, illustrating in plain language the advantages of placing properties upon the register book, and giving an explanation of the practice of the department. As may be gathered from my estimate of the amount of business for the next financial year, I am very confident that the system will be in New Zealand a very great success. By correspondence with the Registrars-General of the neighbouring colonies, I have ascertained that in no case has the success of Mr. Torrens' system been at all equal to the rate of progress made in New Zealand during the first few months of its working. I never felt any doubt as to the policy of establishing ten district offices, notwithstanding the fact that, at the time this measure of administration was decided upon, there was no precedent in the Australian Colonies for such an extension of local convenience. Kegarding the cost of the department, I trust that Parliament will be satisfied that every effort has been made to work economically. All the Districts are in full operation, with the exception of Marlborough, provision for w hich is, however, included in my estimate of the total expenses of the department for the current year, namely, £8,614 15s. For this sum the public will have the services of twenty-one barristers and solicitors, and eleven professional draftsmen, while full provision is made for clerical services and incidental expenses. It is proper that I should hero state that I have in many instances secured valuable services by encouraging a hope in the minds of the gentlemen who are engaged in the department, that they may expect the public to consider their claim to an increase of salary, so soon as their zealous exertions have made the Land Transfer Act a great success in their several districts. I have every reason to speak in the highest terms of the zeal, intelligence, and industry which have been evinced throughout this branch of the public service. With regard to the practice of the office, having had the advantage of a correspondence, through the Government, with all the Lands Registration Offices in the Australian Colonies, and having also had the great advantage of Mr. Gawler's advice and assistance, I have succeeded in establishing an uniform practice which appears to have worked very satisfactorilv, but it will be necessary to have new regulations after the Act has been amended during the coming Session of the Assembly. My principal endeavour has been to make the regulations as few and simple as possible, so that the general public will not be called upon for anv great mental effort in the endeavour to master the routine of the department in its various details. I have prepared a suggestion that His Excellency the Governor should be empowered to make, alter, and amend regulations for the conduct of the department, as circumstances may suggest a necessity for action in that direction. j n reg p ec^ to ie f ees sanctioned by the existing Act, lam of opinion that they are sufficiently high in all cases. In some instances I should recommend reductions, with a view to promoting the popularity of the measure, feeling assured that although such reductions might be equivalent to a direct financial loss, yet the indirect advantage to the revenue, referable to a general acceptance of the system, would more than justify such reductions. Although the head of this department would naturally be gratified upon seeing large pecuniary profits resulting from its operations, still, if an intelligent political economist, he would be more satisfied to see the Colony deriving the much larger advantages which must flow from a general use of the increased facilities which the Land Transfer Act affords for commercial exchanges. During my administration, I have frequently had the honor of drawing the attention of Government to the one great cause of uneasiness in my mind in reference to the working of the Act, and avail myself of this opportunity of recording my belief that the most serious damage and difficulty are almost certain to result should the Legislature fail to make immediate provision for correcting and completing the surveys of the Colony. The result of anxious inquiries in all directions is a conviction that it is my duty to recommend the Government to promote legislation without delay, enabling them to create a system of survey which shall operate over the whole Colony. lam aware that many difficulties surround such a proposal, but I am nervously sensible that while on the one hand I might suceed in making an approximation of the cost of correcting and completing the surveys, it would be utterly impossible for me or any one else to make even an approximation of the damage that must result from an extensive operation of the Land Transfer system, with its accompanying assurance of title, in the absence of that principal element of safety, a reliable survey of the lands a title to which is to be guaranteed. I hold very strong opinions as to the means by which a satisfactory survey of the countrv could be best

Nature of titles submitted by lawyers,

Facilities afforded for investigation of titles.

Hand-book required.

Success of the system.

Organization or the Department effected economi-

Officen.

New regulations necessary. Power should be vested in the Governor for that purpose. eeß-

Surveys.

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REGISTRAR-GENERAL OE LAND.

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arrived at, having regard to expedition, economy, and accuracy ; but as this branch of the public service is not included in my department,l may only venture to suggest that it might be very profitable if the question of the surveys of the Colony were handed over to a competent Commission for examination and report. AVith regard to the expense of placing tho surveys of the Colony on a proper footing, I would, if permitted, state my belief, notwithstanding any alarm which might follow, that a sum of at least £100,000 will be required. I trust, Sir, that no apology will bo necessary for my having ventured upon what lam aware must be a disconcerting and unwelcome disclosure of opinion. The very considerable arrears in tho issue of Crown Grants is a circumstance which materially retards the operation of the Act. This is a subject which is deserving of the very prominent notice of the Government. Although, with excellent economic effect, the two departments of Land and Deeds Registry have been combined in the several districts, in so far as that the registrarship of each department is held by the same person, still, for the satisfaction of the public, it has been thought advisable that the departments in all other respects should be entirely distinct. By this means, the public can be readily made aware of the exact expenditure and revenue of each department. As will be seen by the comparative statement aunexed, notwithstanding the great depression which has visited the Colony, the fees for deeds registration have been nearly as large as during the preceding year. I anticipate no material difference in the current year's revenue from this source. I am not prepared to advise any reduction whatever in the charges made in this department. I have been enabled, with the sanction of Government, to make material reductions in the permanent staff of the Deeds Registration Department, which reductions have been carried out in conformity with the provisions of " The Civil Service Act, 1866." By this arrangement, with other combinations, the Government will have effected a permanent retrenchment of over £1,500 as compared with the vote of last year. Generally, I may report that tho Deeds Registration Department is in a most effective condition, and that its organization admits of very little improvement. By the system in operation, the RegistrarGeneral of Deeds is reliably informed, every month, of the exact particulars of the business transacted in every part of the Colony, and is enabled at any time to institute comparisons of the performances of individual clerks. Shortly after accepting office, I prepared a comparative statement of the working of all the Registration Offices in the Colony, showing the cost per folio of the recording of deeds. This statement, which I had the honor of submitting on the 14th of January, disclosed astonishing differences of cost, which, although very surprising at the time, have been explained upon a subsequent investigation of the causes. The prevailing explanation in all cases has been, that the services of the Clerks, whose salaries were charged against Deeds Registration, have been largely used in other departments of the Government. Having satisfied myself that the rate of exertion has been tolerably equal, there remains no objection to the officers of this department being made available in the working of other branches of the public service. I have, Ac, W. S. Moorhouse, Registrar-General of Land and Deeds. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary.

Arrears of Crown Grants.

Arrangement of departments.

Fees for deeds registration.

Retrenchment in Deeds Registry.

General organization.

RETURN showing the Number of APPLICATIONS to bring Land under the provisions of the Land Transfer Act for the Year ending 30th June, 1871.

Area. Months. No. Value. Town and Suburban. Country. February March April May June 19 40 72 152 126 A. 5 34 230 478 220 B. 2 0 0 0 1 p. 14 22-4 336 1345 369 A. 747 2,346 3,757 11,213 14,127 E. P. 0 6 3 29 1 24 3 8 2 27 £ b. d. 7,300 10 0 16,851 10 0 40,557 0 0 53,271 10 0 48,350 15 0 Total 409 968 2 0035 32,192 3 14 166,331 5 0

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RETURN showing the Number of TRANSFERS Registered under the provisions of the Land Transfer Act during the Year ending 30th June, 1871.

RETURN showing the Number of MORTGAGES Registered under the provisions of the Land Transfer Act during the Year ending 30th June, 1871.

RETURN showing the Number of APPLICATIONS Withdrawn or Rejected during the Year ending 30th June, 1871.

ra. Months. No. Consideration Money. Town and Suburban. Country. April May June 3 4 is A. E. 11 2 19 2 2 0 p. 4-75 5 11-2 A. 60 351 901 E. 0 2 2 p. 0 32 21 £ s. d. 1,180 0 0 255 10 0 5,595 10 0 Total ■lo 33 0 2095 7,031 0 0 1,313 1 13

Area. Months. No. Amount Secured. Town and Suburban. Country. March April May June 1 2 16 28 A. B. P. 1 0 0 0 3 18 A. B. P. 112 0 31 210 0 0 1,910 0 33 3,529 0 1(5 £ s. 300 0 130 0 12,064 0 11,234 10 d. 0 0 0 0 Total 5, 761 2 0 11 1 3 18 23,728 10 0

Area. Number. Value. Town and Suburban. Country. 5 A. 11 E. P. 3 18 A. E. P. 5 10 , £ G40 s. d. 0 0 Other business, — No. of Certificates of Title issued „ Leases registered „ Caveats entered ... „ Maps deposited ... ,, Searches 182 4 1 1 11

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G.—No. 12.

RETURN showing the Fees received by the Land Transfer Department, during the Year ending 30th June, 1871.

Statement showing the Amount standing to Credit of District Land Eegistrars on 30th June, 1871, on account of Deposits for General Tees. £ s. d. Auckland ... ... ... ... ... ... 53 1 0 Otago ... ... ... ... ... ... 31 11 0 Canterbury ... ... ... ... ... 04 9 0 . "Wellington ... ... ... ... ... 34 0 0 Southland... ... ... ... ... ... 19 4 0. Total ... ... ... ...£202 5 0 Statement showing the Amount received and brought to charge as Fees, Registration of Deeds, during the Tear 1870-71- £ s. d. Auckland 3,892 13 0 Taranaki ... ... ... ... ... ... 468 12 6 Wellington 1,510 13 0 Hawke'sBay ... ... ... ... ... ... 678 14 0 Nelson ..." ... ... ... ... ... ... 643 8 6 Marlborough ... ... ... ... ... ... 568 6 0 Canterbury ... ... ... ... ... ... 3,297 9 6 Westland ... ... ... ... ... ... 395 15 0 Otago (including Southland District, £558 7s.) ... ... 3,565 9 6 Southland ... ... ... ... ... ... 290 10 0 £15,311 11 _0

r FORMER REPORTS. No. 1. Mr. Moorhouse to the Hon. W. Gisborne. Sir, — Office, Registrar-General of Land, Wellington, 14th January, 1871. Referring to several consultations we have had in respect to " The Land Transfer Act, 1870," I have the honor to avail myself of your permission to report my opinions on the subject, so far as I am justified by a knowledge of the premises. Up to the time when Government did me the honor to offer me my present appointment, I had never specially and carefully considered Torrens' system, consequently my impressions may well be received with some grains of allowance. Since my appointment,

District. Fees. Beokees' Licenses. Total. Auckland ... Wellington ... lawke's Bay kelson Canterbury ... )tago Southland ... £ s. d. 84 1 1 25 11 0 5 3 0 14 12 0 151 0 0 3o6 2 6 25 3 0 £ s. 20 0 '30 0 '85 0 125 0 40 0 d. 0 0 0 0 0 £ s. 84 1 45 11 5 3 44 12 236 0 431 2 65 3 d. 1 0 0 0 0 6 0 611 12 7 300 0 0 911 12 7

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however, as Registrar-General of Land, I have had considerable opportunities of observing popular feeling, and have to report — 1. That, during my recent tour through the Colony, I found that in every place the Land Transfer Act was an exceedingly popular measure. 2. In all the Provinces there was evidently a determination to press the Government to constitute Land Registration Districts conterminous with the Deeds Registration Districts. 3. It appears to me that whereas, according to popular opinion, there were good and imperative reasons of social convenience for the existing division of the Colony into districts for deeds registration, it is now expedient, a fortiori, that the same division should be adopted for the purposes of land registration, which latter institution is generally regarded as beneficial in a higher degree than the former. 4. Accepting the above-stated argument as cumulative upon a great many others, I feel justified in recommending Government to proclaim all the existing Deeds Registration Districts as Land Registration Districts, under clause 5 of the Act. 5. Agavnst my view of the case, it may be said that there exists but one office for registration of land, under a similar system to ours, in each of the Colonies of South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, and Queensland ; and that, if one office is sufficient for each of such wide territories, five are more than are required for the lesser area of New Zealand; and that an extravagance already existing is no reason for an extension of it. Circumstances of difference in the two territories might sufficiently account for the apparently disproportionate adjustment of office accommodation ; and it might be alleged that New Zealand is the better governed territory because of its larger facilities for securing titles to lands, and that, conversely, the other territories were worse governed. But it is hardly profitable to waste time in discussing objections which have been practically answered by the public will long ago. 6. The Legislature and Executive have long appeared to hold that the extension of facilities for registration in New Zealand is a good thing, and this conclusion cannot be avoided, but must be acted upon: 7. So I deferentially submit an opinion that the only question for discussion is, whether Government can afford to entertain the certain large expenses. 8. AVith a view to assisting this inquiry, I have the honor to append a statement (A) of the expenditure and revenue of each Deeds Registration District, and the net profit on the transactions at each office for the Financial l rear 1869-70. Also, an approximate estimate (B) of the cost of establishing and maintaining Land Registration Districts for the next twelve months. Referring to Table B, I have to remark that the furniture and contingencies will not, in my opinion, exceed the estimate for the first year, and will be considerably reduced in following years. Further, I have estimated the highest figure in all the offices for clerical aid, as I calculate on appropriating some surplus labour out of the Deeds Registration Offices. AVith reference to the salaries of the Registrars and Examiners of Title, it would be very inexpedient, and almost impossible, to follow any positive rule of adjustment, for the reason, among a great many others, that it is necessary to make material variations of proportion in order to attract lawyers of standing. The presence of some such officers in the Department is a great element of safety, and must be paid for. I cannot see my way to effecting any reduction in my estimate of this class of salaries. It will be seen, by referring to Table A, that during the Financial Year ending June, 1870, the Deeds Registration Departments paid a net profit of £6,344 3s. Sd. upon an expenditure of £9,712 19s. 4d. I estimate (Table B) the net cost of establishing the Registrar-General's and the District Land Registration Offices at £11,000, so that the total estimated outlay upon the two Registration Departments would be £20,712 19s. 4d., against which may be set off £16,057 3s. (estimating by last year's receipts), leaving a debit balance of £4,655 16s. 4d. to be made up by fees in the Land Registration Department. There are no reliable data upon which to found an estimate of receipts during the first year's operations of the Land Transfer Act, but, considering the apparent anxiety of the public to avail themselves of the system, it would not, I think, be unreasonable to hope for an amount of fees that would about balance the expenditure and receipts of the two kindred departments taken together. I have, Ac, W. S. Moorhouse, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Registrar-General of Land and Deeds.

a.— No. 12

REGISTRAR-GENERAL OP LAND.

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Enclosure 1 in No. 1. A.—STATEMENT of the Expenditure and Revenue of the various Deeds Registration Districts, for the Financial Year 1869-70.

09 District. ft a li Q O 3 CO 5 3 o to I 8 03 Cost of Clerical Work. Total Cost, including Contingencies. Total Cost per Folio. Fees Received. Profit. a P. Irs 3 Salaries. Amount Paid for Contract Work. Total for Clerical Work. Average Cost per Folio, with Sections. Auckland 49,608 9,245 5,678 7 £ s. d. 1,235 0 0 £ s. d. 527 0 0 £ s. d. 1,762 0 0 £ 0 s. d. 0 8J- £ s. d. 2,400 18 8 £ s. d. 0 0 Hi £ s. d. 4,339 8 0 £ s. d. 1,938 9 4 80* 5,886 Otago 3,688 42,015 12,557 3,449 3 775 0 0 533 7 5 1,308 7 5 0 O 7i 1,895 12 5 0 0 10J 3,738 16 6 1,843 4 1 97i Canterbury 3,614 44,7901 7,688 8,345 5 935 0 0 539 12 5 1,474 12 5 0 0 8 1,917 4 5 0 0 10J 3,132 15 6 1,215 11 1 631 "Wellington 1,545 17,810 3,557 1,517 2 340 0 0 99 6 8 439 6 8 0 0 5| 976 1 6 o i iaI 1,464 11 6 488 10 0 50 "Westland 912 5,968 1,159 763 1 125 0 0 15 3 2 140 3 2 0 0 5| 397 13 2 0 14 445 4 6 47 11 4 11 A Nelson 787 9,313 1,873 755 4 530 0 0 12 10 0 542 10 0 0 1 2 642 10 0 0 1 ttt 748 10 0 106 0 0 16£ Southland 703 8,993 2,911 735 1 150 0 0 146 6 6 296 6 6 0 0 71 505 13 6 0 1 || 839 15 0 334 I 6 66 f Hawke's Bay 600 7,375 # 593 1 50 0 0 24 13 3 74 13 3 0 0 2i 389 7 11 0 1 Of 617 5 6 227 17 7 581 Taranaki 435 3,053 1,199 435 1 75 0 0 Nil. 75 0 0 0 0 5 T 9o 280 16 6 0 1 10 349 13 6 68 17 0 24* Marlborough 330 4,444 1,716 349 1 100 0 0 3 9 3 103 9 3 0 0 Bf 307 1 3 0 1 II 381 3 0 74 1 9 24 r\ Totals 26 9,712 19 4 16,057 3 0 6,344 3 8 18,500 193,3691 41,905 17,619 4,315 0 0 1,901 8 8 6,216 8 8 • Plans entered by Registrar. "W. S. MooKHOirsE, Eegistrar-General of Land and Deeds.

Gk—No. 12.

REPOET OF THE

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Enclosure 2 in No. 1. STATEMENT B.

District. Particulars. £ b. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. iegistrar-General's Office Registrar-General ... Travelling Expenses Chief Clerk Furniture ai d Contingencies 800 200 250 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .uckland 1,350 0 0 Registrar, also Kegistrar of Deeds Examiner of Titles Clerk and Draftsman Clerical aid Furniture and Contingencies 700 450 250 150 200 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o 0 1,350 0 0 1,750 500 0 0 0 0 Less salary of Registrar of Deeds 1,250 0 0 >tago ... Registrar, also Registrar of Deeds Examiner of Titles Clerk and Draftsman Clerical aid Furniture and Contingencies 700 0 0 600 250 150 200 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Less salary of Registrar of Deeds 1,900 550 0 0 0 0 'anterbury Registrar, also Registrar of Deeds Examiner of Titles Clerk and Draftsman Clerical aid Furniture and Contingencies 700 0 0 1,350 0 0 450 250 150 200 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Less salary of Registrar of Deeds 1,750 400 0 0 0 0 1,350 0 0 ellington Registrar, also Registrar of Deeds Examiner of Titles Clerk and Draftsman Clerical aid and Contingencies 700 0 0 400 250 300 0 0 0 0 0 0 Less salary of Registrar of Deeds 1,650 400 0 0 0 0 1,250 0 0 estland Registrar, also Registrar of Deeds Examiner of Titles Clerk and Draftsman Clerical aid and Contingencies 600 0 0 300 0 0 I 100 0 0 Less salary of Registrar of Deeds 1,000 250 0 0 0 0 750 0 0 elson ... Registrar, also Registrar of Deeds Examiner of Titles Clerk and Draftsman Clerical aid and Contingencies 400 0 0 350 200 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 Less salary of Registrar of Deeds 1,050 175 0 0 0 0 875 0 0 iouthland Registrar, also Registrar of Deeds Examiner of Titles Clerk and Draftsman 400 0 0 300 200 0 0 0 0 Carried forward 900 0 0 8,175 0 0

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No. 2. Memorandum by Mr. Moorhouse for the Hon. W. Gisborne. Registrar-General of Land estimates tho total cost of the Land Transfer Department, in the event of all the existing Deeds Registration Districts being constituted Laud Registration Districts, at £5,107 for the financial year ending 30th June, 1871, £900 of which is for eight months' cost of the Registrar-General's Office. £ s. d. Salaries, extra clerical aid, furniture and contingencies, for all the ten proposed Land Registration Districts ... ... ... 4,207 0 0 Registrar-General's salary and travelling expenses, clerk's salary for six months (£125), furniture of office, and contingencies to 30th June ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 900 0 0 £5,107 0 0 Amount of vote for current year ... ... ... ... 2,500 0 0 Deficiency... ... ... ... ... ... ... £2,607 0 0 N.B.—Mr. Gawler's expenses, say £400, not included in the above estimate. W. S. Moorhouse, 19th January, 1871. Registrar-General of Land. No. 3. Memorandum by Mr. Moorhouse for the Hon. AV. Gisborne. 1. Requests have been made by Clerks in the Registration of Deeds Department for increase of salary. 2. In some cases there appear to be strong grounds for entertaining the applications. Generally considered, the department is more costly than necessary.

. — com inuet District. Particulars. £ s. a. £ s. d. £ s. d. louthland — contd. Brought forward Clerical aid and Contingencies 900 200 0 0 0 0 8,175 0 0 Less salary of Begistrar of Deeds 1,100 200 0 0 0 0 900 0 0 lawke's Bay Registrar, also Registrar of Deeds Examiner of Titles Clerk and Draftsman Clerical aid and Contingencies 400 0 0 300 175 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 < Less salary of Registrar of Deeds 975 300 0 0 0 0 075 0 0 Paranaki Registrar, also Registrar of Deeds Examiner of Titles Clerk and Draftsman Contingencies 400 0 0 300 150 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 tfarlborough Less salary of Registrar of Deeds 300 0 0 900 200 0 0 0 0 700 0 0 Registrar, also Registrar of Deeds Examiner of Titles Clerk and Draftsman Contingencies 300 150 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 300 250 0 0 0 0 550 0 0 Less salary of Registrar of Deeds Total 11, 000 0 0 . S. MOOKHOUSE, eneral of Land and Deeds. Registrar-

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REPORT OF THE

3. Registrar-General of Land and Deeds submits that a saving of from 30 to 40 per centum would result from changing the mode of payment of recording clerks, —substituting payment per folio and section for payment by salary. 4. However, there may be instances in which a complete change of system might bo uneconomical. For instance, at Taranaki, Marlborough, and Napier ; the AVestland Office also may require exceptional arrangements. 5. The amount of money actually paid in five offices, calculated on the basis of the returns for the last three months to permanent clerks, for simply copying, is about £1,265. A saving on this expenditure would accrue from the change suggested, of about one-third of the present rate of cost, or in round numbers, about £425 annually. 6. The change under consideration would involve a discharge from the Civil Service of a number of clerks —probably ten, in five offices —having claims in respect of service for various periods. 7. Compensation to these clerks would, if allowed, amount to about £900. 8. The direct saving during a fraction over two years following the change would liquidate this special outlay, and would, moreover, extinguish all future claims under the Civil Service Act, for pension, Ac, upon extinction of the Registry of Deeds, either by gradual disuse or by Statute. The value of the proposed change might be stated generally as embracing the following advantages, viz.:— (1.) The perfect operation of an ad valorem system of payment for labour. (2.) An actual reduction of one-third of present ratio of cost per annum, for an indefinite period. (3.) The complete extinction of Civil Service claims, following the discharge of officers whose services under tho old system were comparatively unprofitable. 9. Registrar-General of Land, in compiling his estimate of the expenses of the department for next year, wishes to have the decision of the Hon. the Colonial Secretary on the subject of this Memorandum, as a guide. W. S. MooßnousE, 14th June, 1871. Registrar-General of Land and Deeds. N.B.—Clerks removed from Civil Service would be eligible for immediate employment at folio rate.

No. 4. Mr. Moorhouse to the Hon. W. Gisborne. [Interim Report.] Sir,— I have the honor to forward estimates of the total expenditure I believe to be necessary in the Land Transfer and Deeds Registry Department. They are rendered separately, so that the exact additional cost attending the new system of Land Transfer may be seen. The exact expenditure up to the 30th ultimo cannot yet be ascertained, but the figures given in the enclosed returns are fairly approximate. The above remark applies to both Land Transfer and Deeds Registration. The detailed estimates are in the Printer's hands. I have, Ac, W. Moorhouse, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Registrar-General of Land. Enclosure 1 in No. 4. Estimated Receipts and Expenditure, 1871-72. £ s. d. £ s. d. Total estimated Expenditure on Land Transfer Department for the Financial Year 1871-72 ... ... ... ... 8,614 15 0 Total amount of Revenue from Land Transfer Department for the Financial Year 1871-72, estimated on the actual receipts for the month of June, 1871, xl2 + Land Brokers'fees* ... ... 4,942 11 0 Balance, deficiency on year's working ... ... 3,672 4 0 Total estimated Expenditure on Deeds Registry Department for the Financial Year 1871-72 8,70110 0 Total estimated Revenue from Deeds Registry Department for the Financial Year 1871-72 (same as 1870-71)t ... -•- 15,300 0 0 Surplus balance ... ... ... ... 6,598 10 O * In order that the Government may be perfectly safe I have only estimated the year's revenue upon the basis given in the return ; but, as a matter of opinion, I calculate that the amount of fees will be at least 25 per cent, in excess of the estimate. t Although the operation of the Land Transfer Act will, in time, account for a diminution in the receipts from the Deeds Registry, still, after carefully regarding the probable circumstances of the Colony during the next two years, I feel myself justified in the expectation of a revenue equal to the amount I have estimated.

G.—No. 12

REGISTRAR-GENERAL OF LAND.

13

Enclosure 2 in No. 4. Approximate Statement of the Working of the Land Transits and Deeds Eegistry Departments for the past Financial Year. £ s. d. £ s. d. Cost of Deeds Registry ... ... ... .. ... 10,000 0 0 „ Land Transfer ... ... ... ... ... 4,500 0 0 Total ... ... ... ... 14,500 0 0 Kevenue from Deeds Eegistry ... ... ... ... 15,300 0 0 „ „ Land Transfer ... ... ... ... ... 1,140 0 0 Total ... ... ... ... 16,440 0 0 Balance to credit on Tear's work in both Departments ... ... £1,940 0 0 Enclosure 3 in No. 4. Comparative Statement showing the Estimated Expenditure of the Land Transfer and Deeds Eegistrt Departments for 1871-72; and the Amounts toted for 1870-71. 1871-72. 1870-71. Land Transfer Department:— £ s. d. £ s. d. Colonial Charges ... ... ... ... ... 1,114 15 0 ... *500 0 0 Provincial Charges ... ... ... ... 7,500 0 0 £8,G14 15 0 ... £500 0 0 Deeds Eegistry, — Colonial Charges ... ... ... ... ... 200 0 0 Provincial Charges ... ... ... ... 8,501 10 0 ... 10,206 10 0 £8,701 10 0 ... £10,206 10 0 TotalsLand Transfer Department ... ... 8,614 15 0 ... 500 0 0 Deeds Eegistry ... ... ... 8,70110 0 ... 10,206 10 0 Grand totals ... ...£17,316 5 0 ... £10,706 10 0 Enclosure 4 in No. 4. Cost of bringing Land Transfer Act into operation. £ s. d. £ s. d. Vote ... ... ... ... ... ... 2,500 0 0 ... Expenditure in excess of vote (estimated) ... ... 2,000 00 Estimated actual cost to end of past Financial Tear ... ... ... 4,500 0 0 Less fees received to 30th June... ... ... ... ... ... 1,110 0 0 Total net cost ... ... ... ... ... £3,360 0 0 Thus the working of the Act during the first experimental months has cost a net sum of £3,360. This amount includes cost of books, seals, &c, sufficient to last for many years, together with some furniture and fittings; also £570 travelling expenses and honorarium to Mr. Gawler, as well as travelling expenses of the Eegiatrar-General of Land and other officers of the Department. The net expenditure in excess of vote is £2,000—£l,140=£860. "W. S. Moorhouse, Begistrar-General of Land and Deeds. * Land registration under " Land Registry Act, 1860."