Registrar-Generals-Department-Annual-report-1972-1973 — Page 28

(a) land may be re-entered upon by the Crown for breach of any covenant in the Crown lease thereof, or for breach of any con- dition or stipulation of any tenancy thereof, by the registration in the Land Office of a Memorial of Re-entry signed by an officer duly authorized by the Governor, whereupon the land is re-vested in the Crown; and

(b) a relevant interest, i.e. an undivided share in the land on which a building stands and the premises in that building to which it relates, may be vested in The Colonial Treasurer Incorporated for such breach as aforesaid in respect of the relevant interest, or for default in payment of the determined Crown rent or the determined annual instalment of premium in respect of the relevant interest, by the registration in the Land Office of a Vesting Notice signed by an officer duly authorized by the Governor, whereupon the relevant interest is vested in The Colonial Treasurer Incorporated absolutely and free from any incumbrances.

In either of the above cases the former owner may petition the Governor or apply to the Supreme Court for relief against forfeiture.

57. During 1972-73, the remaining portion of a section of an urban lot with an area of 380 square feet was re-entered by the Crown for non-payment of Crown rent. In addition, fifteen first floor flats and portions of the flat roofs on the first floor of a multi-storeyed building, which had been converted and used for industrial purposes, were vested in The Colonial Treasurer Incorporated for breach of the residential user restriction in the Conditions of Regrant. A petition for the cancellation of the vesting was received and at the end of the year was still under consideration pending reinstatement of the premises to a condition fit for romestic use and occupation and the fulfilment of a number of other conditions.

Legal Proceedings against Property Owners

58. In some cases where there is a default in payment of Crown rent or premium, as an alternative to re-entry legal proceedings are instituted against the owner for the recovery of the money due to the Government. No new cases were referred to the Legal Department during the year but in three cases pending from the previous year a total sum of $89,630 was recovered. At 31st March 1973, of the five cases pending at the end of last year one case was closed, and legal action continued in the remaining four.

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