252 



Small Holdings Act. 



[JUNE, 



reasonably incurred by the Council in relation to a claim are repayable 

 by the Board out of the Small Holdings account, the Board are of 

 opinion that the most convenient course will be that they should take 

 over the work of adjusting the claims, and, failing agreement, of 

 appearing before the Arbitrator. This will enable the officers of the 

 Board to deal with the claims on uniform lines, and will avoid un- 

 necessary duplication of work. The Board think, however, that Coun- 

 cils should continue to be responsible for making the valuation of the 

 goods, implements, produce, and stock proposed to be sold, and that 

 their officers should assist the officers of the Board in the investigation 

 of the claim. 



I am, therefore, to ask that a copy of any claim or of any notice of 

 intention to make a claim should be sent to the Board as soon as it is 

 received by the Council, together with information as to whether the 

 notice to quit was given by the Council or by the landlord at the 

 request of the Council. The Board should also be informed of the date 

 on which the tenancy in respect of which the claim is made has ter- 

 minated or will terminate. The Board will then ask the Council to 

 make a valuation of the goods, implements, &c, proposed to be sold, 

 and after the sale has taken place, to obtain a priced catalogue show- 

 ing the sums realised. A copy of the valuation and catalogue should 

 then be sent to the Board, who will instruct one of their omcers to deal 

 with the claim and to endeavour to arrive at a settlement. 

 If a settlement is effected, the sum payable will be com- 

 municated by the Board to the Council, with a request that the Council 

 will pay it and include the amount together with any incidental ex- 

 penses in their next claim for repayment by the Board. If the claimant 

 refuses to accept the sum offered by the Board, the question will be 

 referred to arbitration, and an officer of the Board will conduct the 

 case before the Arbitrator on behalf of the Council. The sum awarded, 

 together with any costs of the arbitration, will then be paid by the 

 Council and recovered in due course from the Board. 



I am to add that although claims under the Act are valid if made 

 within three months of the termination of the tenancy, it is provided 

 by the Act that the tenant must give to the Council a reasonable oppor- 

 tunity of making a valuation of his goods, implements, &c. The Board 

 are advised that this provision refers to such goods, implements, &c, 

 as are proposed to be sold, and that it does not refer to any items in 

 the claim as to which a valuation is not material. Such expenses, there- 

 fore, as the costs of removal and the expenses of a sale would be pay- 

 able in spite of the fact that no opportunity was given for making a 

 valuation. 



Adaptation of Small Holdings. 



I take this opportunity of sending, for the information of your 

 Council, copies of instructions* as to the particulars which should 

 accompany proposals for the adaptation of Small Holdings, which have 

 been drawn up by the Board in consultation with the Local Govern- 

 ment Board, and I am to ask that they may be communicated to the 

 officers of your Council, who are responsible for work of the kind. 



* Not printed. 



