CROWN TENANTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 September 1924, Page 4

CROWN TENANTS.

AVl'] LLI NT! TON, Sept. 3.

The report of the Lunds Deportment states that Crown tenants, numbering •132, had their holdings forfeited for non-eomplianee with the conditions of their lenses and licenses. The area was 222,-ISO acres, and the annual rental £lO.l Off. In addition 175 tenants surrendered their leases over an area of 110,072 acres, with an annual rental of £5303

These figures appear large, hut. as was the case last year, a considerable proportion compiised lands held under miscellaneous and temporni'y leases and licenses, while several large pastoral runs swelled the total area. Nevertheless the figures indicate a certain healthy tightening up of conditions generally, and also :m increasing indication on the part of those, tenants, who for various reasons have been unable to make a success of their, holdinjrs tr> m:iko way for stronger inc'!i. .Postponements of payment of rent were «rr: mted to 311 tenants during the year, involving £so.Odd. At March 31st. £s4.it 12 remained postponed on account of 333 tenants. A great number of former postpuneuieiix have been I rought to charge, ami imfortunaten the majority of these now figure under the heading of arrears.

lteuts in arrear at March 31st. amounted to £514,113, an increase "I £ 18(i.223 on last year. A large proportion is owing by discharged soldier holding Crown leases, hut. the position in" this respect will show a great improvement when the work nl the District Devaluation Committee and the Dominion Devaluation Ihitird heats fruit. As regards civilian settlers, no doubt a great many who paid high goodwills are having a hard struggle, and will require sympathetic treatment. while a certain proportion til the wealter men are gradually being displaced, The (Plowing shows the progressive increase in the arrears of rent owing to the Department dining the last few veals:— £ ltlgt) 51.3! 11 |i)o| ... 113.10!) |'|)oj ... 107.333 11)23 353.225 ] 1)0.| 544.443