THE NEW LAND ACT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1657, 8 November 1887, Page 3

THE NEW LAND ACT.

The Wellington correspondent of the Otago Daily Times says:—The Land Act Amendment Act of the Hon. Or. E. Richardson, Minister of Lands, is to be deemed to form part of “ The Land Act 1885.” All rural lands are to be opened for sale or occupation on deferred payments or perpetual leases, at the option ot applicant. Rural lands now open on deferred payments or perpetual lease are to be declared open for sale for cash or occupation on either tenure. Second-class lands may be declared open fer selection for cash or occupation on any tenure, at a reduced price, A limitation is to be made of cash purchase of rural lands in one block to 640 acres of ordinary land,, or 2000 acres of secondclass lands. Cash lands are to be bought subject to the condition that one-fifth is brought into cultivation within four years from purchase. Within ~ six years from purchase the improvements must average £1 per acre. In the case of second-class lands the purchaser must effect improvements equal to 10 per cent of the purchase money within the first year, another 10 per cent within two 'years, and within six years another 10 per cent. Purchasers completing improvements earlier will become entitled to their titles. "All secondclass lands taken up underlie Act op deferred-payment or on perpetual lease are to be held on the same con* ditions as to improvements as in subsections 5 and 8 .inclusive of section 114, but sub-sections 1 to 3 inclusive of section 149 of “The Land Act 1885” shall not apply in respect thereto. Simultaneous applications are to be dealt with as provided in the Act. Wjiere persons fiifc tp th#

land on different tenures it i# to be put up by auction at the upset cash price, and sold to the highest bidder. The value of the land if held on deferred payment, with 25 per cent upon such value added thereto, shall be the price of the land; if on perpetual lease, the annual rent shall be estimated upon the aforesaid value. The freehold of deferred-payment or perpetual lease lands may be acquired as soon as the prescribed improvements are effected. Applications for purchase of land in mining districts to be published at the cost of the aplicant. At expiry of a month objections, if any, to be sent to the Minister for his decision. Special settlements and village settlements to be abolished save as to existing settlements. Part Y. of “The Land Act 1885" is repealed except as to any special settlements and village settlements formed or in process of formation thereunder, in respect whereof respectively part Y. shall continue in full force and operation.