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Postponements, Remissions, and Arrears of Rent and Interest

OPERATIONS UNDER THE SERVICEMEN'S SETTLEMENT AND LAND SALES ACT, 1943 Applications The total number of applications for consent to transactions filed during the year ended 31st March, 1949, showed a small increase on the number for the previous year, being 41,761, against 41,352 for the year ending 31st March, 1948. The rural applications showed a marked reduction from 5,466 to 4,800, while the urban showed a corresponding increase from 35,886 to 36,961. Applications disposed of during the year totalled 41,596, which is 165 fewer than those received. However, that difference is very small (less than half per cent.) and indicates that the Committees are keeping the work up to date. Reduction in Consideration-moneys Reductions in consideration-moneys directed by Committees for the year ending 31st March, 1949, totalled £2,845,252, which shows an increase of £112,247 on corresponding figures for the previous year. Appeals During the year 172 appeals were lodged, as against 259 for the year ending' 31st March, 1948. Only 15 appeals had not been disposed of at the end of the year, as against 32 which were outstanding at the end of the previous year. Land Valuation Court Consequent on the passing of the Land Valuation Court Act, 1948 (see reference under " Legislation "), the Land Sales Court and Land Sales Committees have been abolished, and their functions have been taken over by the Land Valuation Court and Land Valuation Committees. As the Land Valuation Court, in addition to exercising jurisdiction under the Servicemen's Settlement and Land Sales Act, 1943, while it remains in force, will exercise jurisdiction over other matters, and is a permanent body, it is only right that it should come under the Justice Department for administrative purposes. Administration matters were taken over by the Justice Department on Ist January, 1949. Pending the appointment of officers of that Department as officials of the Court, the officials of the Land Sales Court were seconded to the Justice Department, and the costs of administration were met to 31st March from the Lands Department's vote out of moneys appropriated by Parliament for the Servicemen's Settlement and Land Sales Act, 1943. The appointment of officers of the Court has now been completed.

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— | Year Ended 31st March, 1949. Year Ended 31st March, 1948. (i) Postponements of rents and interest granted during the year (ii) Rents and interest the payment of which remains postponed (iii) Arrears of rents and interest (including arrears in respect of the current half-yearly charge) (iv) Remissions of rents and interest granted during the year £ 681 3,635 65,353 11,551 £ 437 4,410 123,344 5,601