THE LAND BILL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2167, 24 August 1907, Page 2

THE LAND BILL.

THE LATEST AMENDMENTS. Press Association. WELLINGTON, August 23. Tho amended Land Bill as it leaves tho Lands Committee was laid on the table of the House to-day. In regard to the ordinary Crown lands a modification has been made, enabling holders of renewable leases, with the consent of the Board, to remove minerals other than gold, silver and coal from their holdings on payment of royalties. The renewable lease no longer applies to land leased under modified residence conditions, and the Government is left free to make regulations specifying leases of this land. An important new clause provides that the holder of a renewable lease when he desires to make improvements will be entitled to an application to the Commissioner to have particulars of improvements placed on permanent record,- the record to be used in assessing compensation. Provision is made for special flax leases, tho area not to exceed 2000 acres. The limit of area bo be acquired by applicants for Crown lands is extended from 3000 to 5000 acres. The clause of which the Hon. T. Y. Duncan has already given nonce empowering Boards to set apart areas of rural land for selection and occupation without payment subject bo conditions as to cultivation and residence is embodied in the Bill. In regard to Land for Settlements ; lands the 33 years’ lease with perpetual right of renewal remains unaltered. The clause providing for the lease of Land for Settlements lands by- public tender instead of ballot is struck out. In substitution there is a 'new clause :o the effect that before any land acquired under- the Act is opened for public selection the Board may grant i renewable lease without competition to any person who has been employed an the land by the late owner for at least five years. Tlie old system of ballot, therefore, remains in force. Land may still be taken compulsorily at owners’ valuation plus a percentage. Tho right of purchase of the freehold in confined to holders of leases-in-jierpetuity of ordinary Crown lands as in the Bill when introduced this session. In regard to compulsory purchase of land under tho Land-for' Settlements Act the price is to be tho valuation plus ten per cent, on values to £50,000; five per cent, on any amount over £50,000. This alteration is ' in favor of the owner, as the original Bill provided the lidding of ten tier tent, to values below £25,000, five !>er cent, to the value from £25,000 to £50,000 and 21 per cent, to values above £50,000.