R.—3.

1927. NEW ZEALAND.

LAND TRANSFER AND DEEDS REGISTRATION. ANNUAL REPORT OF DEPARTMENT, 1926-27.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Head Office, Stamp Duties Department, Wellington, Ist August, 1927. The Hon. the Minister of Stamp Duties, Wellington. I have the honour to submit the usual report on the working of the Land Transfer and Deeds Registration Department for the year ended the 31st March, 1927. The returns appended show— A. —The business transacted under the Land Transfer Act. B.—The fees received thereunder, including the fees received on account of Crown grants. C.—The mortgages and discharges of mortgages, and the amount remaining secured by mortgage under the said Act on the 31st March, 1927. D.—The arrears existing at the various Land Transfer Offices at the close of business on the same date. E.—The number of deeds received for registration and the number remaining unrecorded on the 31st March last, also the fees received in the Deeds Registration Offices. The following table shows at a glance the amount of registration business under the Land Transfer and the Deeds Registration Acts transacted during the last five years : —

Fees under compulsory registration Act, 1924 —Paid, £6,843 155.; outstanding, £11,266 ss. C. E. Nalder, Registrar-General of Land, and Secretary for Land and Deeds.

Year ended 31st March. 1923. 1924. ! 1925. 1926. 1927. Instruments .. .. .. . . 136,028 154,805 168,523 188,622 158,883 Searches (Land Transfer Act only) .. 35,468 45,205 43,965 45,57 7 41,726 Fees, excluding fees under compulsory £83,473 £94,635 £100,623 £106,526 £97,990 registration Act, 1924.