LAWS RELATIXG TO CROWN LANDS. 



29 



two or more applications happen to be tendered simultaneously for the 

 same block, the Land Agent determines their priority by ballot.* At 

 the time of application one half year's rent and one third of a fee 

 charged for survey (see appended scale) have to bo deposited. Payment 

 of the balance of the survey fee is spread over the first two years, one 

 half of such balance being payable within the first, and the other lialf 

 within the second twelve months after cDufirmatifm. To illustrate the 

 foregoing: — If a block of 610 acres (1 square mile) should be adver- 

 tised at £1 per acre, or £640 in all — but it should be mentioned hero 

 that land is frequently thrown open at prices considerably below this 

 — the first annual rent would be £8, and the survey fee £8 Is. od. 

 Of the former £4, and of the latter £2 13s. i)d. (/.c. £6 IGs. Od. 

 in all) v/ould be required at the time of application. This 

 initial expense will be recognised as small, and it will be seen that 

 the selector is not called upon afterwards to expend any but a 

 nominal sum in improvements. All that the law requires in this con- 

 nection is that he shall within the first eighteen mouths after confir- 

 mation of his application erect a dwelling house worth at least £20. 

 A condition of perpetual residence, commencing within three months 

 after date of confirmation of the application, however, attaches to 

 the holding, the object of which is to secure that the land shall be 

 used for its intended purpose, and as a salutary check against, what 

 has hitherto been, a prevailing tendency to take advantage of the 

 law for merely speculative purposes. To such pui^poses a short 

 definite term of residence has, unfortunately, hitherto been found to 

 lend itself, land freed from all but monetary obligations being readily 

 taken over. 



Should the land selected contain improvements at the date of appli- 

 cation, the Selector is required to pay for them in four equal yearly 

 instalments, with interest at 4 per cent, per annum. 



The title of a homestead selection is a freehold one, but the issue of 

 a grant in fee simple is deferred for five years, and during this terra 

 the land cannot be transferred. The issue of the grant is contingent 

 upon the Land Board granting a certificate that the conditions 

 attaching to the selection have, up to the time of inquiry, been pro- 

 perly fulfilled. The grant contains provisions for "the annual pay- 

 ment by the grantee, his heirs, and assigns for ever of a perpetual 

 rent ; the performance by the grantee, his heirs, and assigns for ever of 

 an obligation to live upon the homestead selection, having his or then- 

 home and place of abode there t; and forfeiture to the Crown of the 

 lands granted in case the obligation to live thereon or to pay any sums 

 due as rent be not duly performed/' 



The condition of residence may perhaps appear stringent, but it is 

 not inflexible, as before issue of the grant the Local Land Board 

 may grant leave to the selector for a necessary cause, and for suc!i 

 period as may be determined, and, after issue of the grant, the 



* This provision as to ballot applies to conflicting applications of all kinds, incluaing 

 applications for Conditional Purchases, Homestead Leases, &c. 



+ After issue of the grant the minimum period of lining on the laml may be dcfi^^^^^ 

 by the Governor by regulations. The period, however, cannot be less tlian se^ en montl.a 

 In every year. 



