AGRICULTURAL LAND SETTLEMENT ACT [CHAPTER 20:01] (as amended) the Board of the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority referred to in subsection (2). 4 Functions of Board The functions and duties of the Board shall be— (a) to consider and report upon all applications for leases of holdings in terms of this Act; and (b) to select and recommend applicants for leases of holdings in terms of this Act; and (c) to do such other things, not inconsistent with this Act, as may be required by the Minister. 5 Board may recommend schemes and other provisions The Board may recommend to the Minister the establishment of a scheme or the making of other provision for any of the objects referred to in section seven. 6 Board to report annually As soon as possible after the 1st January in each year the Board shall furnish to the Minister a report upon its working during the year ended the 31st December last preceding. PART III LAND SETTLEMENT 7 Minister may make provisions for land settlement, etc. The Minister may establish schemes or make other provision for all or any of the following objects— (a) the settlement of persons on and the alienation to such persons of agricultural land; (b) the training of persons in farming; (c) the development of the farming industry; (d) objects incidental to and connected with any object referred to in paragraph (a), (b) or (c). 8 Minister may issue leases The Minister may, subject to this Act, issue leases to applicants in respect of holdings of land: 9 Applications for leases to be referred to Board No lease in respect of a holding of land referred to in section eight shall be issued to an applicant therefor until the application has been referred to the Board for its consideration and report: Provided that nothing in this section contained shall be construed as requiring the Minister to comply with a recommendation or report of the Board in relation to an application. 10 Matters to be considered by Board (1) In the exercise of its functions referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of section six L the Board shall have regard to— (a) the age of the applicant; (b) the character and legal competence of the applicant to hold, acquire and farm the holding; March 2004 9