LAND FOR NOTHING

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1927, Page 1

LAND FOR NOTHING

HON MeLKOO’S SCHEMA

[),Y THI;KVnAI’H —I'ER I’HESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, Feb. 3.

In order to settle, interior lands that are disposable by the Crown, the Minister of Lands (Hon Mr McLeod) is now about to offer them for nothing. L'nder the new policy, the (Lovernmeat asks for no rent, but it insists on certain improvements, in lieu of rent, and these improvements, when completed, will enable the holder of the land to become a freeholder free of

In the first place the holder will be given a. license to occupy. This occupation license is for ten years, and is rent loss. The. condit ions of the license set out grades of improvements (twoyearly. four-yearly and six-yearly). That is to say, the total improvements required are normally expected to take not more than six years, but they mav be done in a much shorter time.

The completion of these total improvements (specified helow) will give the light to the free-hohl, and. if the occupation licensee completes them all in two years, instead of taking six, he is at once qualified to become a freeholder. In short, he pays his footing by the improvements to the land, the fee simple of which then comes to him gratis. The improvements are specified undei two heads:—

(1) Clearing and cultivation. (2) Substantial improvements of a permanent character. M'itliin two years the licensee must ha vo cleared and cultivated not less than one-tenth of the total area of his selection, and the improvements must be valued at not less than ten shillings per acre. At the end of the fourth year, the clearing and cultivation must cover an additional area equal to one-third of the selection, and the added improvements must be worth another ten shillings an acre. The total required improvements, for which a. six-years’ limit is allowed, comprise the laying down in permanent cultivated grasses and clover of not less than half fhe total area of the selection, and “substantial improvements of permanent character to the total value of not less than thirty shillings per aero.” To sum np. iho permanent grassing of half the area and iiermanent improvements of not less than £1 10s an acre give the freehold.