LAND AGENTS.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14841, 5 December 1913, Page 4

LAND AGENTS.

AN AMENDING; BILL. (■rECIAL TO "THS TViXSS.") WELLINGTON, December 4. The Land Agents Act. Amendment Bill, introduced in the Legislative Council to-day, makes some amendments in the Land Agents Act of last year, .which required that such agents should bo registered. The amending Bill, provides that licenses issued early this year shall continue to be efficacious #11 March 31st next. This latter date is to be the date from which licenses Shalt/count in future. In'the case of applications'for renewals''of licenses it shall not be necessary for , the i; magistrate to .again.-.'satisfy.', himself..'of the fitness v of the applicant unless he thinks proper to do so. In the case of* new applications the intention shall be advertised in the district newspapers,"and' no license shall be issued for two months after such advertisement. The original definition of "land agent" is altered by omitting the words "or otherwise disposed of," and adding the words "or to effect exchange of land on commission." A new clause is inserted to enable the Crown to regard the £500 fidelity bond made necessary by the principal Act not as a penalty, but as agreed and liquidated damages in the event of default or breach. This will enable the sum to be recoverable in full by the Crown, without deduction, as a debt, unless the surety or sureties prove performance of every condition nnon which such bond is defeasible. Tho Governor may appropriate and use any such sum as he thinks fit, and particularly may apply it to indemnifying any client or customer suffering through the actions of the land agent.