956
Objects and Reasons,
1. Section 2 of this Ordinance substitutes four new sections for sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the Crown Lands Resumption Ordinance, 1900. The repealed sections provided alternative methods of procedure for the resumption of land required for public purposes depend- ing on whether or not the value of the land exceeded five hundred dollars for any registered lot or portion of a lot. Thus the more elaborate procedure had to be resorted to where only one lot of over five hundred dollars in value was affected; whereas a resumption of an area valued at many thousands of dollars was governed by the less elaborate procedure if each regis- tered lot in the area did not exceed five hundred dollars in value. In such cases each registered lot was separately dealt with. The new sections provide but one method of procedure adapted from the alternative methods provided by the sections they replace.
2. The original sections called for four months notice published in the Gazette and for a judge as chairman of the compensation Board in cases where the lot value exceeded five hundred dollars. In other cases the period of the notice was one month, it was not pub- lished in the Gazette and the chairman was a magis- trate or justice of the peace. The new sections provide in normal cases for one month's notice and a magistrate or justice of the peace as chairman unless either party requests a judge. The Governor appoints and instead of the Governor in Council determines the remunera- tion of the clerk to the Board. The Governor is empowered to authorise a longer notice where it is considered necessary. Service on the owner is required if he can be found and for the information of all persons interested in the land a further copy has to be conspicuously affixed upon land affected.
3. Section 3 of this Ordinance provides for the award of compensation and costs to persons deemed entitled thereto even if they have not appeared as claimants before the Board of arbitrators.
C. G. ALABASTER,
Attorney General
November, 1930.