Seward Daily Gateway

NEW RULING IS MADE ON HOMESTEAD CASES
GENERAL LAND OFFICE
Metes and bounds description of land are to be omitted in proof notices for homestead cases in Alaska, according to an announcement released by the General Land office of the U. S. department of the interior. The new order is an amendment to Circular 491, it says.

The statement says in part: In Alaska, in the classes of entries mentioned, the important feature of proof notices is to inform all interested parties of the geographical location of the land, and the information should be given in such a way that the people who read the notice will be able to interpret it properly. The metes and bounds description is technical and not generally understood, hence in these cases it is not of much value to the general public as a means of identification of land. The metes and bounds description adds to length of notice and to the cost of the notice to the claimant. The statute does not require the inclusion of such description in the published notice. Adverse claimants may inform themselves as to the exact location of the land by the markings on the ground or from a copy of the survey which must be filed in the district land office and posted on the land. It is believed, therefore, that in the cases mentioned, and for the reasons stated, the inclusion of the metes and bounds descriptions in the published notices, is objectionable and unnecessary. It is directed, therefore, that thereafter such descriptions be omitted.