THE I AND TRANSFER ACT.

Evening Star, Issue 3047, 23 November 1872, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE I AND TRANSFER ACT.

To the Editor.

Sir, - Will you, by moans of your columns, oblige by asking the favoi of any one of your readers who possesses the necessary inf.>rmation, to phase enlighten me and your other readers not as to merely what the brokers and Government charges under tbe Act are —these are known—but what the brokers really and truly have received, and are in the habit of receiving, in payment as brokers for the business altogether under tbe Act? because that the transfer affairs are so simple and inexpressive as professed is by some denied, and by others gravely doubted if the labor and attention of the brokers ate rewarded merely with the beggarly IDs fee (and nothing more), as I understand the Act directs, very much discredit, I think, is clearly due to them or anyone else who wasted time in doing business for such a mere pittance, so scrubby and inadequate ; but, on the contrary, if they partake of anything beyond what the law allows—if they make and receive charges, particularly such as I have been informed some of them have obtained—then it will at once be seen why they praise the Land Transfer Act, by which they gam their livelihood ; and if so, pray where is tee professed great colonial i cnelit so often spoken of by the interested party ? I ask these things from no mere caprice, but because only the other day 1 was recommended to adopt my course under the Transfer Act as being so nuioh loss expensive than by an ordinary conveyance ; and what do you think was the needf.il expenditure which I was informed I should have to incur under the Act ? Not less than LI2 ! Can this bo so ? Whereas ray lawyer’s usual charge to complete the entire business by conveyance is little more than one-fourth of that sum I lam informed that, as it was in ihe beginning with the lawyers, so it is now with the brokers—that it is but placing Tom or Dick instead of Bob or Harry—substantially the same thing, only the actors ifferent, and the Government beuefitted by the broker’s license, &c.

It would, therefore, lie gratifying to know what the brokers are in the habit of charging, so tl at the benefit, if any, under the Act may bo clearly seek. Will any of your readers cast a light upon the subject.—l am, &c., ExTKA-PAROCHIAL. Dunedin, Nov, 22.