ENG-1954 — Page 73

PRODUCTION AND MARKETING

the Housing Authority while a further 30 acres is under consideration for grant to the Housing Authority for the building of permanent low cost housing. 12 acres have also been made available for the erection of permanent housing for the Resettlement Department and consideration is being given to the allocation of a further 30 acres for this purpose. About 1,000 acres have been set aside as temporary resettlement areas.

Government policy concerning the sale or grant of Crown Land is governed by the scarcity of all types of land. In order to ensure that available Crown Land is put to the best possible use all sales or grants are subject to a covenant to develop the lot within a reason- able period, the amount of expenditure depending on location and type of development allowed. Due to the shortage of land, it has been found difficult in recent years to meet the requirements for schools, clinics, play- grounds, and other public purposes. A survey was carried out in the previous year to facilitate the dis- tribution of available resources and this has been revised as required to provide for increasing demands for various public purposes.

In addition to the covenant providing for develop- ment within a set period, leases also contain clauses controlling the use to which the land shall be put in accordance with planning requirements and providing for the payment of an annual crown rent which is, however, relatively low compared with the economic annual value. Until the lessee has fulfilled the building covenant he is not permitted to sell or mortgage the property, but once he has fulfilled this covenant he is free of these particular restrictions, except where land has been sold by private treaty at preferential rates. In

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