H.—3.

1936. NEW ZEALAND.

LAND TRANSFER AND DEEDS REGISTRATION. ANNUAL REPORT OF DEPARTMENT, 1935-36.

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

Head Office, Stamp Duties Office, Wellington, 31st March, 1936. The Hon. the Minister of Stamp Duties, Wellington. I have the honour to submit the following report on the working of the Land Transfer and Deeds Registration Department for the year ended the 31st March, 1936. The returns ajjpended 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 discharge of mortgages, and the amount remaining secured by mortgage under the said Act on the 31st March, 1936. 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. Business transacted. —Registration business has shown a substantial increase in the number of instruments registered and the amount of fees received during the year. Compulsory Registration. —The work of bringing under the provisions of the Land Transfer Act titles not previously subject to those provisions has been completed in all registries excepting those of the Auckland and the Otago Land Registration Districts. In both these districts steady progress is being made, but an accurate estimate cannot yet be formed as to when finality will be reached. The Otago district should be completed within two years, but the Auckland district will take longer. The following table shows 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 for year ended 31st March, 1936 ; £3,994 outstanding, £30,813. P. G. Pearce, Secretary for Lands and Deeds.

Year ended 31st March, 1932. 1933. 1934. 1935. 1936. Instruments .. .. .. .. 98,267 81,905 76,355 83,117 100,275 Searches (Land Transfer Act only) .. 27,727 25,471 24,170 28,268 53,203 Fees, excluding fees under Compulsory £44,945 £36,700 £35,240 £40,962 £50,547 Registration Act, 1924