LAND LAWS. 195 



In the colony proper the Crown lands which have 

 not been alienated consist mainly, as might be sup- 

 posed, of land destitute of permanent water, or covered 

 with scrub, or precipitous hills, or that are in some way 

 inferior to the other lands, and have consequently been 

 neglected by settlers. But as a very large extent of 

 beautiful country has lately been taken from the native 

 tribes that haA^e rebelled, the whole of which will be sold 

 either in small lots to agriculturists under the acts of 

 1870 and 1877, or in large blocks of about 6,000 acres 

 under the act of 1878, we think it advisable to epitomise 

 some of the leading features of the acts of 1878 and 

 1877, the latter of which embraces all the features of 

 that of 1870, whilst making the act applicable to 

 assisted immigrants, and the payments somewhat 

 easier. 



The Crown Lands Act of 1878 provides "that all 

 waste and unappropriated Crown lands in the colony 

 shall, except as is hereinafter excepted, be disposed of 

 on perpetual quitrent for the highest annual rent that 

 can be obtained for the same by pubHc auction." 



" That the auction shall take place at the Civil Com- 

 missioner's office of the division in which the land is 

 situated." 



"That three months' notice of such sale shall be 

 given in the Government Gazette and in some local 

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