3

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respect to the capital they have available for stocking and improving the land. Upon receipt of the application the Dominion Land Purchase Board refers the matter to the particular Land Board concerned for investigation of the suitability both of the land and the applicants. Then the Dominion Board, upon receipt of the Land Board's report on these matters, decides whether or not the Minister is to be recommended to direct the purchase of the property. In the event of acquisition being decided upon the applicants, as a necessary preliminary to the actual purchase by the Crown, must pay to the Receiver of Land Revenue a deposit of not less than 5 per cent, of the estimated price to be paid by the applicant for the subdivision he wishes to select. When the subdivision is completed the section purchased by each applicant may be allotted to him without competition either for cash or on deferred payments spread over a term of 34J years, at such price as the Minister may determine in accordance with the provisions of subsection (4) of section 54 of the Land for Settlements Act, 1925. Instalments so payable under deferred payments will not carry a rebate of interest for prompt payment. Part 111 provides that for non-payment of rates an occupier's interest in Crown lands may be sold to any person qualified to acquire such interest and approved in that behalf by the particular Land Board concerned. Education Reserves Act, 1928.—Chiefly a consolidation of the Education Reserves Act, 1908, and its various amendments. Hanmer Crown Leases Act, 1928.—The purpose of this Act is to afford the Crown lessees in Hanmer Township and the immediate vicinity an opportunity of securing a more permanent form of lease over their holdings. Most of the leases hitherto have been for a straight-out term of forty-two years without right of renewal ; but the Act provides that the lessees may apply to surrender such leases, and to receive in exchange tenancies for any term not exceeding twenty-one years, with a provision that on the expiration of such term the lessees shall have an option either to accept renewed leases or to have new leases offered at auction, with protection for improvements, and so on from time to time. Applications received for new leases are to be referred to a special committee consisting of the Commissioner of Crown Lands, a valuer under the Valuation of Land Act, and one person nominated by the lessees who lodge applications. The functions of the committee will be to consider each application on its merits, and to submit a recommendation in each case as to whether the application should be granted over the whole of the land in the original lease, or in accordance with modifications agreed to by the lessee. Swamp Drainage Amendment Act, 1928.—This Act amends the existing law with respect to charging lands with the cost and maintenance of drainage-works carried out by the Department, so as to provide facilities for the following : — (a) Reclassification from time to time, if deemed expedient, of lands affected as a basis for rating purposes. (b) Appeal to a Stipendiary Magistrate by persons aggrieved by the classification of their lands for such rating purposes. Public Reserves, Domains, and National Parks Act, 1928. —This is a consolidation and revision of the Public Reserves and Domains Act, 1908, and its amendments, together with a new part dealing with' the constitution and administration of national parks. The classification of reserves as set forth in the 1908 Act has been dispensed with, and the new Act gives full powers for changing the purpose of reservations and exchanging and vesting reserves, subject to reasonable safeguarding provisions. The Governor-General is empowered by Order in Council to revoke the reservation over any reserve, subject however to parliamentary sanction in the case of reserves set apart for public health or recreation, or for the use, support, or education of aboriginal Natives. The proceeds from the sale of areas set apart for health or recreation are to be expended in the acquisition of other lands for such purposes. Additional powers are conferred upon Domain Boards and the trustees of recreation-grounds, and provision is made for increasing the number of days in any year on which charges for admission to public domains and recreation-grounds may be made. Various other matters dealt with comprise chiefly minor amendments and machinery provisions. Reserves and other Lands Disposal Act, 1928. —Contains thirty-seven clauses dealing with Crown lands, reserves, &c. Canterbury Provincial Buildings Vesting Act, 1928. —This Act vests the site of the Canterbury Provincial Council Chamber in a special Board, which is charged with the maintenance of the land and the Council Chamber as a memorial of the foundation of Canterbury Province. Surveyors Registration Act, 1928. —Separates the law as to the registration and licensing of surveyors from the provisions relating to the incorporation and proceedings of the Surveyors' Institute, and brings the law as to registration into conformity with modern statutes dealing with similar matters. Surveyors' Institute Amendment Act, 1928. — This Act is complementary to the Surveyors Registration Act. Its purpose is to separate the law relating specially to the incorporated society known as the Surveyors' Institute from the general law relating to the registration of surveyors and the conduct of the profession of surveying. Lands for Selection. During the year 462,563 acres were taken up on various tenures, the number of selections being 1,911 under all headings. These figures include some 648 sections, comprising altogether an area of 116,002 acres, taken up on miscellaneous leases and licenses, so that the selections on permanent tenures numbered 1,263 sections, covering an area of 346,561 acres. There was again a fair demand for small improved farms, and a brisk demand for good sheep-country. The lands offered included the Mataikona Settlement, near Castlepoint, and the Waimarama Block, Hawke's Bay. The former area, of some 12,932 acres, was purchased some years ago for soldier settlement, but for various reasons has been run by the Department as a going concern. The settlement, which comprises