LAND PURCHASES

Hokitika Guardian, 3 October 1928, Page 8

LAND PURCHASES

SOLDIER SETTLEMENT SCHEME. EXTENDED TO CIVILIANS. WELLINGTON, Oct. I. The principle adopted in the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act of the Government financing the purchase of farm property selected by the intending holders is the main feature of an amendment of the lands laws introduced in the House to-day. It will enable any two or more persons who have secured from the landowner an offer in writing to sell any private rural land to approach the Dominion Land Purchase Board to acquire it by the Crown. The applicants shall submit a scheme of subdivision and proof of their means to stock the proposed subdivisions. If the Land Board’s renort is favourable, the Minister of Lands may direct negotiations with the owner for acquisition. The applicants at this stage will be required to deposit not less than 5 per cent of the estimated price proposed to be paid for their subdivision', and if the area is bought by the Grown it may be sold without competition to 'the applicants for cash or deferred payments under the same system as for acquisition of Land for Settlements land, 5 per cent being paid in cash and the balance in annual instalments over a period of nineteen years, with interest at the rate of 5 per cent, payable half-yearly on the balance of unpaid purchase money. The Bill also contains a clause authorising the lessees of the Cheviot estate to acquire the fee simple of their land for settlements leases and grazing, farm leases, though this right shall not apply to grazing farms which in the opinion of the board are not suitable for subdivision. Another clause seeks to empower the sale of the interest of any Crown lands occupier for non-payment of rates levied after .March 31, 1929, to any person qualified to acquire such interest,