Ht—B.

1892. NEW ZEALAND.

LAND TRANSFER AND DEEDS REGISTRATION. (ANNUAL REPORT OF DEPARTMENTS, 1891-92.)

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by command of His Excellency,

The Secretary for Stamps to the Commissioner of Stamps. Sic, — Head Office, Stamp Department, Wellington, 17th June, 1892. I have the honour to submit the following report showing the working of the Land Transfer and Deeds Registration Departments for the year ended the 31st March, 1892 :— The returns show that the transactions are in excess of those for the year 1890-91, and the revenue collected shows an increase of £1,389 16s. 2d. for the year. The amount of mortgages paid off, which appears unusually large compared with the previous years, includes one mortgage for £1,250,000, which was registered in three different districts, viz., Canterbury, Otago, and Southland. This mortgage has at various times been partially discharged, but as the amount paid on each occasion was not disclosed, the deeds merely releasing certain lands, the full amount has hitherto appeared in the returns. It is now finally paid off. The returns appended are as follows: — A.-—The business transacted under the Land Transfer Acts. JB.—The fees received thereunder, including the fees received on account of Crown grants. C.—The mortgages and discharges of mortgages, and the amount remaining secured by mortgage, under the said Acts on the 31st March last. D.—The arrears existing at the various Land Transfer Offices at the close of business on the same date. B.—The number of deeds received for registration, and the number remaining unregistered on the 31st March last, also the fees received in the Deeds Eegistration Offices. I have, &c, C. A. Hickson, The Commissioner of Stamps, Wellington Secretary for Stamps.