48

Continuous absence for a period longer than two months consecutively of the settler
or family is deemed cessation of occupation ; but leave of absence may be granted not
exceeding six months in any one year, inclusive of two months’ absence.

Land is considered abandoned if unoccupied for more than two months consecu-
tively.

If so abandoned, the land becomes waste lands of the Crown.

The fee on recording is two dollars (8s. )

The settler shall have the land surveyed. at his own instance (subject to the ratifi-
cation of the boundaries) within five years from the date of record.

After survey. has been made, upon proof of declaration in writing of himself and
two other persons of occupation for two years from date of pre-emption, and of having
made permanent improvement on the land to the value of two dollars and fifty cents
per acre, the settler on producing the pre-emption certificate obtains a certificate of
improvement upon payment of a fee of $2.

After obtaining the certificate of improvement and paying for the land, the settler

t=) oO 2
is entitled to a Crown grant in fee simple. He pays 510 therefor.

The price of Crown lands pre-empted is $1 (4 shillings) per acre, which must be
paid in four equal instalments, as follows: First instalment two years from date of
record or pre-emption, and yearly thereafter, but the last instalment is not payable till
after the survey, if the land is unsurveyed.

Two, three or four settlers may enter into partnership with pre-emptions of 160
acres each, and reside on one homestead. Improvements amounting to $2.50 per acre
made on some portion thereof will secure Crown grants for the whole, conditions of
payment being same as above.

The Crown grant reserves to the Crown a royalty of five cents per ton on every ton
of merchantable coal raised or gotten from the land, not including dross or fine slack,
and fifty cents per M. on timber. Coal and petroleum lands do not pass under grant
of lands acquired since passage of Land Act Amendment of 1899.

No Crown grant can be issued to an alien who may have recorded or pre-empted by
virtue of his declaring his intention to become a British subject, unless he has become
naturalised.

The heirs of devisees of the settler ave entitled to the Crown grant on his decease.

Crown lands may be purchased to the extent of 640 acres, and for this purpose are
classified as first, second and third class, according to the report of the surveyor. It
has not, however, been the policy of the Government for some time past to sell lands,
except when required for special purposes.

Lands which are suitable for agricultural purposes, or which are capable of being
brought under cultivation profitably, or which are wild hay meadow lands, rank as and
are considered to be first class lands. Lands which are suitable for agricultural purposes
only when artificially irrigated, and which do not contain timber valuable for lumbering
purposes, as defined below, rank as and are considered to be second class Tae
SHOMRHE NATO and rocky tracts of land which are wholly unfit for agricultural purposes,
oad which cannot, etal any reasonable conditions, be brought under cultivation, and
which do not contain timber suitable for lumbering purposes, as defined below, or h

ay
meadows, rank as and are considered to be third class or pastoral lands

Timber lands