LAWS RELATING TO CROWN LAXDS. 



freehold, conditionally pureliased, and leasehold land, and indeed, at 

 the present time, many extensive runs practically consist wliolly of 

 lands which have passed out of the possession of the Crown. 



After the Act of 1884 came into operation every pastoral lioldii^r in 

 the Colony was subdivided."^- The lessee was left in occupation of 

 the Avhole area under new rentals, but his tenure of one-lialf dilTered 

 entirely in character from his tenure of the other. Of one (called tlio 

 Leasehold Area) he was granted a lease for a definite term and without 

 risk of disturbance. Of the other (called the Ilesumed Area) he was 

 granted an occupation license, renewable annually, but as the land 

 has remained open to the public under the various provisions of the 

 Crown Lands Acts the area over which the license operated has been 

 liable to constant diminution. This is characteristic of all occupation 

 licenses, including those that may come into existence in future as 

 well as those in existence now. 



Leases in the Eastern Division were granted for five years, those in 

 the Central Division for ten years, and those in the A\'estern Division 

 for fifteen years. 



The Eastern leases expired in the year 1890, and the land is for the 

 most part held under occupation license, a preferential right to whicli 

 was granted to the outgoing lessees, together with ownership in 

 improvements 



The Central leases expired in 1895, but by virtue of a provision 

 of the Act of 1889 some of the lessees by improving their holdings 

 earned, and are now in the enjoyment of, an additional term which 

 varied in different cases from less than one up to five years. Such out- 

 going lessees as did not apply for, or did not obtain, or withdrew tlieir 

 applications for, an extension of lease were entitled to remain in occu- 

 pation of the land on the same terms as outgoing lessees in the Eastern 

 Division. 



In connection with these extended leases the Crown, on the expiration 

 of the lease, will claim all improvements made before the 1st June, 

 1895, taking them as the price paid by the lessee for his extended term; 

 but such as may be made subsequently will, if the Crown's permission 

 to their being effected be first sought and obtained, be treated as the 

 property of the lessee upon his continuing in occupation of the land 

 under occupation license, a preferential right to which is given him to 

 exercise. 



With respect to the Western leases the term of fifteen years was by 

 the Act of 1889 converted, on application by the holders, into a new 

 term of twenty-one years, and by the Act of 1895 an additional term 

 of seven years has been added. This term of twenty-eight years 

 dates from the year 1890, and is divisible into seven-year periods, the 

 rent applicable to each period being subject to reappraisement.f On 

 the expiration of the term of a western lease, the last holder is given 

 tenant right in improvements. During the last year of the lease 040 



* A few holdings were not subclividecl on account of their limited area, the whole of 

 whicli then became a Leasehold Area. 



+ Under the Act of 1895 holders of Pastoral leases in the Western T^ivision have »)Ocn 

 allowed to apply for an immediate reappraisement, which includes the kilance of tlie 

 current seven-year period and the succeeding seven-year period. 



