CO129-534-3 Report of Retrenchment Commission 4-5-1931 - 19-2-1932 — Page 173

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32. The Commissioners received complaints of delays by the

Crown Lands Office in dealing with applications for land.

This

they found to be the fault not of the individual officers but

rather of the unwieldy system, whereby an application has to

be referred to numerous other sub departments, such as Drainage,

Waterworks, etc., before a decision is arrived at. It would be

far simpler if areas for development were mapped out in zones

in advance. This would enable an application for a site in the

area to be speedily granted without the present multiplicity

of reference; whilst at the same time publication in the

Government Gazette from time to time of the zone areas would

prevent applications for sites in areas not available. The

'zoning' should be in the hands of a standing Zoning Committee

under the Chairmanship of the Director of Public Works, and

with expert unofficial representatives serving on it.

33. The combined Crown Lands and Surveys Office should take

over more responsibility than it does at present. It shoul

for instance deal with all quarries, quarry leases, sand

permits, temporary leases and annual permits in connection with

encroachments on Crown land, without reference to a higher

authority, except where a matter of policy is involved.

Lease plans should also be signed by the Superintendent.

Regarding sand permits the Commissioners would draw attention

to the fact that the sand resources of the Colony are being

rapidly depleted. The whole matter requires careful but

immediate attention; meanwhile the permit fees should be

considerably raised.

34. The Superintendent of Accounts and Stores should remain

with duties substantially as at present, but the organization

of his sub department should be examined by financial and

stores experts, who, in consultation with the Director of