xxxiv
REPORT FROM THE LAND COMMISSION OF 1886-87.
The expenses of reclamations, and expenses of many of the recommendations that are made to Government are enormous, and the Commissioners think that in regard to reclamations, which have hitherto mostly been made at the expense of individuals, the Government, owing to not having the means to affect reclamations itself, has hitherto acted upon an entirely wrong principle, detrimental to the public interests.
If the moneys receivable for Crown rents were put into the same fund as the purchase moneys, the Crown Land Board would have a Revenue which would enable them to make permanent improve- ments, many of which would yield a large annual Revenue to the Government, in the shape of assess-
ments.
In that case the Crown Land Board might be empowered, with the consent of the Governor, subject to the instructions of the Secretary of State not only to spend their current Revenue, but to allow commutations for Crown rent, which, in the opinion of the Commissioners ought not to be less than 25 years' purchase, and also to borrow upon the security of Crown rents.
It must be remembered that the Crown rents are the first charge upon all the lands, and is one of the safest modes of investment that can be devised.
If the handing over the Crown rents to the Crown Land Board cannot be acceded to, at present on account of the deficiency which would be created in the annual Revenue, yet the Revenue has been growing so largely that in a year or two's time the amount that is at present received for Crown rents would hardly be missed, and the effect of improvements to Crown property will certainly, or most probably, increase the rates to a very large amount.
The following table shews the growth of Crown rents, the estimated annual value of buildings for rating purposes, the amount received for rates, and the growth of Revenue from all sources during the last 12 years :-
Table shewing growth of Crown rents, estimated annual value of buildings for rating purposes, the amount received for rates, and the growth of Revenue from all sources from the year 1875 to the year 1886 inclusive.
Years.
Amount of Rent Roll.
Rating Purposes.
Estimated Annual ·
Total Revenue of the
Value of Buildings for Received for Rates. Colony from all sources
(except premia from Land Sales.)
$
$
$5
$
1875
128,509
1,670,410
186,098
893,818
1876
128,130
1,694,695
184,509
871,308
1877
129,404
1,733,515
190,865
920,910
1878
130,123
1,764,662
197,925
936,606
1879
130,812
1,900,870
171,342
962,687
1880
131,716
2,094,235
230,557
1,063,949
1881
146,227
2,062,854
221,796
1,120,797
1882
148,450
2,308,882
252,938
1,209,517
1883
153,109
2,330,010
258,614
1,289,448
1884
153,923
2,404,302
263,989
1,173,071
1885
155,490
2,562,254
285,765
1,251,890
1886
160,753
2,590,942
306,132
1,367,978
If at any time the Crown Rents should yield a profit, the first thing which should be done, the Commissioners think, is to reduce the amounts that are paid for rates which are now, in the City, no less than 13 per cent. on the estimated annual value.