A SOUTHLAND LEASE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1680, 21 February 1913, Page 5

A SOUTHLAND LEASE.

. » „ LEGAL STANDING OF APPLICANTS. In Tiie Dominion yesterday there was published an official rebuttal of .negations wade by a Mr. Thomas Koran regarding the disposal of Section 66, Block XXIV, Invorcargill Hundred. One important point which was omitted from tho statement was mentioned by tho Prime Minister last evening. Mr. Wilson, the successful applicant ' r the section, divested himself of both leasehold and freehold land on January. 13, 1913. As tho ballot opened on Octobcr 23, 1912, and' Mr. Wilson's application was not considered until soino time afterwards, his lesal rig-lit t\> apply lor the section is unquestionable. Tho legal provision which applies lo ft, matter <rf this kind is contained in subsection (ft) of . Section 11 of tho Kind Laws Amendment'Aot of 1912, which amends Section 103 of tho principal Act. Tho subsection reads s— , (2) An applicant is landless within the meaning 6f this section if he does not hold under any tenure 6ucli area of land, whether Crown, land or not, as m tho opinion of tho board is sufficient for iho mointenanco of himself and his family; "Provided that tho board mhy, as u condition precedent to approving an ap-/ plication for land, roquiro any applicant to divest himself within' six montlis from tho da to of tho approval of tho application, of any interest which ho may have in any other land. Until tho applicant lias so divested himself of such interest lie shall not bo deemed to havo any intorest in tho land to which his application rotates, and If he fails 60 to divest himself, his deposit shall be forfeited."