OLD SOLDIERS’ CLAIMS.

Patea Mail, 11 March 1882, Page 3

OLD SOLDIERS’ CLAIMS.

Touching the sitting of the Land Claims Commission, we may state, for the information of those concerned, that in 1865 the Volunteers Land Act 1865 was passed, empowering Superintendents, with consent of Provincial Council, to grant scrip not exceeding £3O to every efficient Volunteer after five years’ service, and an additional £5 for every six .months’actual service against the enemy. This Act was adopted in the Provinces of the North Island as follows:—Wellington in 1867, Taranaki in 1872, Hawkes Bay in 1868 (for two years only), and in Auckland in 1869, By the Volunteers Land Act Amendment Act 1867, Volunteers enrolled prior to Ist January, 1866, were deemed to be “ efficient.” By the Volunteer Land Act 1865 Amendment Act 1873, Provincial Councils were empowered to repeal any laws they bad passed under the Act of 1865—not to affect Volunteers who had completed one or more years’ service ; all claims to be made within twelve months of the passing of the Act. This was acted upon by the Province of Wellington in 1869 by the Act to Amend the Volunteer Free Grants Act 1867, but the privilege was afterwards extended to men enrolled before 30th September, 1872. The Waste Lands Administration Act 1876 repealed all Acts granting scrip, except as concerned Volunteers who had completed three years’ service ; claims to be barred unless made within twelve months in the case of those already entitled, or six months in the case of those who might hereafter become entitled. By the Volunteer and Others Lands Act 1877, Volunteers enrolled in Wellington between the 2nd April, 1869, and 30th September, 1872, became entitled to scrip ; and it further extended the time allowed for making claims by the Act of 1876 to the 30th April, 1178. The Crown Lands Sale Act 1877 extended the time for exercising scrip to 30th April, 1879, provided the scrip was held by the Volunteer.— N.Z, Times.