the-ordinances-of-the-legislative-counci-1890v2 — Page 736

1326 [ 27 OF 1890. ) SQUATTERS.



No. 27 OF 1890.
An Ordinance entitled The Squatters' Ordinance, 1890.
[ 19th December, 1890 ]
Preamble .

WHHEREAS at the date of the establishment of this Colony
certain persons were in the occupation of land therein
and they and their descendants and representatives have
continued to hold the same without any grant of any lease or
interest from the Crown and whereas certain other persons have
since the establishment of the Colony taken possession of land
therein and they and their descendants and representatives have
occupied the same without any grant of any lease or interest
from the Crown. And whereas certain other persons have been
and are in occupation of land witbin the Colony under licence
from the Crown (known as squatters ' licences) but without
any other grant of any lease or interest from the Crown. And
whereas it is desirable that the irregular occupation of Crown
land should be discontinued but that such of the above mentioned
occupiers (hereinafter referred to as squatters ) as may be deemed
to have an equitable claim thereto shall receive leases from the
Crown of their several holdings upon the terms and subject to
the conditions hereinafter mentioned.
*


Title of
ordinance.
1. This ordinance shall be called The Squatters' Ordinance,
1890.
Claims to
leases to be 2. Claim by squatters to leases from the Crown shall subject
heard by to the provisions of this ordinance be heard and determined by
board . a Board hereinafter referred to as the Board which shall consist
of one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, the persons respect
Composition ively filling the offices of Surveyor General and Registrar
of board .
General for the time being and one other person to be from time
to time appointed by the Governor.
Chairman . 3. The Judge aforesaid shall be the chairman of the Board
Quorum .
and three members thereof shall form a quorum . In the case
an equal division of opinion the chairman shall bave a casting
vote . There shall be a secretary to the Board to be appointed
Governor to
appoint
by the Governor, whose duty it shall be to keep a record of all
Secretary. proceedings and decisions of the Board , to receive all claims and
communications to the Board and to issue all orders and
directions of the Board .
Powers of
board . 4. The Board shall for the purposes of this ordinance have
the following powers :
Time, form
and manner ( 1. ) To determine within what time claims to leases in any
of presenting
claims.
specified village or district shall be presented to the
Board , and in what form and manner such claims
are to be presented .