SOLDIERS’ LANDS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 August 1926, Page 4

SOLDIERS’ LANDS

— *———■ - WORK OF REVALUATION BOARD WELLINGTON, Aug. 12. : The report of the chairman of - the Dominion Revaluation Board, Mr J. B. Thompson, states that in tip; case of settlement lands, it was often found that subdivison had been too dose and it was only possible satisfactorily to adjust matters by increasing the area of the respective holdings bv making recommendations to the Land Boards. Quite a number of settlers have been granted additional areas from vacated lands, while others have obtained by transfer the title to adjoining, sections. This is not aggregation in the ordinary sense, but special action necessary to place settlers on an economic footing. In certain swamp areas it, has been necessary to grant relief from .rent until such time as the land consolidated through drainage and became productive.- Partially developed bush, pumice and gum lands have been given special consideration and the settlers on them fiavo had every encouragement. Settlers on lands infested with blackberry have been given concessions which may lie looked in the light of a -subsidy oil their personal efforts, and expenditure towards keeping this pest it* cheek. The original determination regarding leasehold values, or capital charges, have been reviewed in many eases, and in the light of further reports ami information the Board has varied its former decisions, and extended such relief as merits of each ease demanded. Shortly stated, the Board has right through its operations endeavoured to size up the possibilities of each holding, and through "an adjustment of Vf’ilue every settler has been given the chance of making good. The Board has continued its efforts in the case of mortgages .subsequent to the Crown’s. Tt has endeavoured to have them voluntarily discharged in cases where qo equity existed, and, whore that, course could not he adopted, has negotiated for the purchase of them in line with the margin of security. ft is stated to he very evident from the investigation of current accounts under the Soldiers’ Settlment- Amendment Act that the soldier settlers generally h'ayo been placed in a position enabling them to make good. The great, majority* are now in a solvent position, and are meeting their obligations to the Department as they fall due. The. opportunity is now being taken of clearing up anomalies that inevitably occur in a work of such magnitude. This Act gives the Board power to write off or to transfer to a suspense account any amounts which may bo shown as having no equity. That it has been necessary to write off so little (at- date 0.156 per cent only of the capital invested) tends to show how the main operations of the Board have assisted the soldier settler. Practically three-fifths of the current accounts have been dealt with, and it is anticipated that the operations of the Dominion Revaluation Board will cease in about five months’ time.