The Short Title of this Act is “The Land for Settlements Act Amendment Act, 1904”; and it shall form part of and be read together with “The Land for Settlements Consolidation Act, 1900” (hereinafter referred to as “the principal Act”).

At any time before the separate order under section twenty-two of the principal Act has been made fixing the compensation to be paid in respect of the compulsory taking of any land the Minister may discontinue the proceedings on terms of paying costs and expenses as hereinafter provided.

The discontinuance shall be effected by gazetting a notice under the hand of the Minister that the requisition has been revoked and the proceedings discontinued.

A copy of such notice shall be filed in the Court or office in which claims and notices may be filed under section forty-five of “The Public Works Act, 1894,” and a copy shall be served on each claimant at his address so far as known.

The claimants shall be entitled to payment of the proper costs and expenses incurred up to the date of the discontinuance, and the amount thereof shall, where necessary, be fixed by the President of the Compensation Court, if that Court has been constituted, or, if not, then by a Judge of the Supreme Court, or as such President or Judge directs.

The claimants shall be entitled to include as expenses any loss directly and reasonably caused in connection with the working of the land by reason of the requisition and the proceedings thereon.

Nothing in this Act shall apply to any proceedings for taking compulsorily any land the requisition of intention to take which was gazetted before the passing of this Act.

Section twelve of “The Government Valuation of Land Act, 1896,” is hereby amended by repealing all the words from and including “the sum to be offered” down to “valuation-roll,” and substituting in lieu thereof the words “the Minister shall offer such sum as he may think fit.”

No person who has been successful in any land ballot and who afterwards disposes of his section shall be eligible to again select until after the expiration of one year from the date of the disposal, unless under special circumstances and with the permission of the Land Board.

If any applicant for any allotment of land which is open for selection at the time so desires, he may be examined by the Land Board of the district in which he is then resident, and it shall be the duty of such Land Board to make inquiry, as provided by section forty-nine of the principal Act, as to the applicant’s bona fides and suitability.

In the event of any applicant being approved by such Land Board, a certificate shall forthwith be issued to him, which shall entitle him to take part in the ballot without further examination by the Land Board by which the land is being disposed of.

Notwithstanding anything contained in the principal Act, the Governor may grant on lease land as a site for a public hall or for recreation purposes.