LAND ACT AMENDMENT.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1790, 15 November 1879, Page 2

LAND ACT AMENDMENT.

[By Telegraph.J WELLINGTON, November 14. The Waste Lands Committee to-day, reported their proposed amendments in the Land Act, 1877, Amendment. The new clause repeals the Crown Lands Sale Act, 1877. Former proclamations in respect of land on deferred payments are validated. Clause 3 is erased, and new clauses 4 to 9 are inserted. These empower the Governor to declare residence on deferred payment lands optional, except in respect of lands taken on deferred payment prior to the passing of the Act, The Governor is authorised to fix the upset price of deferred payments land at twenty shillings per acre for rural land, and ninety shillings for suburban, and may increase the upset price of allotments of special value. Where several small sections have been subdivided into less than maximum allowed for occupation on deferred payment the Governor may group them in one allotment where they are contiguous. Substantial improvements are to inolnde clearing or cultivation in case of forest lands. The selector of improved lands on deferred payment is to pay compensation for improvements according to assessment by the selector who has at any time after three years completed the improvements under the Land Act, 1877. He will be entitled to the grant on the payment of the unpaid purchase money. Clause 6 is erased, and a new clause added preventing the selector assigning his interest in the laud until he has held the land for three years from the date of the license and fulfilled the conditions required up to the time of transfer. In section 54 of the Act of 1877 the following words are omitted :—" Where more applications than one are made in same day for the same land the land applied for shall be put up at public auction, and bidding at such auction shall be limited to the applicants,” and the following words inserted in lieu thereof : —“ When more applications than one are made in the same day for the same land the occupancy of the land shall be determined by lot in such manner as the Governor may appoint.” Clauses four and five are erased, and two new clauses inserted. Relating to land on immediate payment, the Governor may by warrant under his hand appoint a time at which any town, suburban, or rural lands shall be offered for sale, whether or not such lands have been offered for sale previously, and may classify and re-classify, and fix the price, provided that this shall not annul the provisions of the 44th section of the Act of 1877, but the Governor may offer the land on pastoral lease which remains unsold after being twice offered for sale by auction, at an interval of not lets than six months. Fencing and other improvements on runs may be removed on the termination of the lease. The clauses relative to the prepayment of runs are left unaltered. New clauses, 17 to 29, are added, relating to joint applications on deferred payments. Two or more selectors may hold an allotment as tenants in common, and co-selectors will have the same rights under section 65 of the Land Act, 1877, as ordinary selections on the completion of the conditions. The Governor I may issue a Crown Grant for the allotment, or a Crown Grant for each sub-division as may be desired by the co-selectors. Village Settlements—The Governor may set apart Crown lands for village settlement, and fix the terms] andj conditions. Each village allotment not to exceed one acre each, and farm allotment not exceeding fifty acres, and village settlements may bo divided into village allotments or farm allotments. Village allotments may be sold on immediate or deferred payments the price being not less than five pounds per allotment, and one pound for faim allotments. Duplicated applications for allotments to be decided by lot, and village allotments to be disposed of by public auction amongst the applicants at an upset price of not less than five pounds. Village allotments may be leased. Notwithstanding the Public Reserves Act, 1878, the lands described in tho first schedule of that Act may be set apart to the extent of 5000 acres as village settlements. The Governor'may gazette lands for special settlement, and fix the terms and conditions, the price not being lees than one pound per acre, one tenth of the whole price being deposited by the selector within three months of the deposit of tho plan of boundaries of such special settlement. Land is not to be set aside for a greater period than seven years, but contracts respecting such land will be binding. Lands not taken up within seven years may bo declared open as ordinary lands. Tho Governor may contract with any person, persons, company, or oompanie for providing special settlements, and a rebate on the price of land may be allowed to contractors introducing adult persons from tho United Kingdom. But no suoh rebate will be allowed until the Go-

vernor is satisfied that a number of adults have been settled on ths land, and improvements effected in conformity with the regulations made on that behalf. Where any reserve is not required for the special purpose for which it was made, the Governor may lease such reserve at public auction or tender for any period not exceeding fourteen years.