"IMPROVED FARMS."

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 359, 13 May 1911, Page 5

"IMPROVED FARMS."

TANGITU AND MAPARA SETTLEMENTS.

The following important communication has been received by Mr W. T. Jenning3, M.P., from the acting Minister of Lands (the Hon. D. Buddo) :

Sir,—Re Tangitu and Mapara Improved Farm Settlements.— Referring to your letter of the Bth ult, covering communications from Mr E. O. Guilford, Hon. Secretary to the Tangitu Improved Farm Settlement Association, Tangitu, and Mr R. Johnson, of Mapara, Hon. Secretary to the Mapara Improved Farm Settlement Association, and my reply to you of the 12th idem., I have to point out that sub-section (1) of section 2 of the regulations under the Lands Improvement and Native Lands Acquisition Act, 3894, provides that payment of rent on improved farm settlement sections must commence on the expiry of eighteen months from date of allotment of the sections by the Land Board. It is, however, entirely a matter for the consideration of the Land Board, and _if the Board makes a recommendation that payment of rent on these sections be postponed for a further the matter will receive full consideration. With regard to the issue of leases and licenses, if you refer to sub-section (4) of section 20, and section 22 of the regulations aforesaid, you will notice that the leases or licenses cannot be issued until the first half year's rent has been paid, and until the whole of the improvements contemplated at the time the land was taken up have been completed, and a certificate in writing obtained from the Commissioner of Crown Lands to the effect that the applicant has settled on and improved his section, paid his rent, and otherwise complied with the regulations referred to. You will therefore see that once the first half year's rent has been paid, and necessary certificate as to residence, etc., obtained from the Commissioner of Crown Lands, the lease or license may be issued forthwith, and thus enable the settlers to make application for a loan to the New Zealand State Guaranteed Advances Office. There is no necessity whatever for the selector to wait five years for his lease or licensn.