WASTE LANDS BOARD.

Clutha Leader, Volume V, Issue 196, 12 April 1878, Page 7

WASTE LANDS BOARD.

WEDNESDAY, 3llD APRIL.

Present: Messrs J. P. Maitland (Chief Commissioner, in the chair), Thomson, Green, Clark, and Strode.

William Dillon, for whom Messrs Nimmo and Btair appeared, applied for a renewal of the license INo. 147, held by him to 31st Decern berla^t, for agricultural purposes, being part of section 5, block V711., Waipahi.

Mr Thomson pointed out that very probably the land might require to be entered by the County Council or other bodies for quarry purposes.

It was agreed to issue the license at a yearly rental of 20s, with Ll fee on issue, with condition ot right of entrance by public bodies for quarry purposes. It was pointed out by the Chief Commissioner that licenses of such sections were under the new Act in the position of tenauts-at-will, their tenancy being terminable by 12 months' notice.

Mr Bradshaw appeared on behalf of an application by Nicholas Moro for an additional area of 4 acres of section 17, block 71., Chatton district, the applicant stating- that the area at present held by him was liable to floods. — The application was granted, license to issue for seven vears.

A report and sketch, by Ranger Hughan, were handed in, showing position of coal areas in section 18, block 1., Waikaka district, which the present licensees are willing to occupy under their licenses, It was agreed to adopt tbe Ranger's recommendation, and to request the licenses to be sent in for alteration of plun.

Ranger Hughan re])orted on an application by James Walker for a. coal lease for section 12, block VI., Wyndham district, and recommended that it be granted. — Application granted, license to issue for seven years.

In respect to a question by John Borton for a lease of one acre of section 1?, block VI., Chatton district, for brickmaking purposes, Thomas Hunter on behalf of George Skene, ofSwitzers, lodged objections. — Consideration deferred for one week. Mr Connell appeared in support of an application by Messrs Cargill and Anderson to have section 34-, block VI., Wyndham district, offered for sale by auction.

It was decided that the land should be advertised for three months, and then offered for sale at 40s per acre as land of special value, on account of timber growing thereupon.

Upon Rauo'er Hughan's report the following applications to purchase and lease deferred payment areas were thus dealt with: — To purchase — William Waddell, section 0, block 11, Chatton district. To lease—David Dickison, section 18 ; Margaret Dickison, section 29 ; Jane Dieki**bn, section 28 ; Annie Johnston, section 3, all ol block I, Chatton district.

The Chief Commissioner said he had forwarded a memorandum to the Chief Surveyor in reference ro the suggestions made by Commissioners Clark and Thomson as to increasing the area of deferred payment sections in Warepa Hundred. He read the following communication from tho surveyor : —

I have considered the question' submitted to me in your memo. 30th March, 18**8, with reference to the deferred-payment sections, viz., 3 to 15 and 17, block X , sections 18, 25, and 26, block IX., and 12. block XI, Warepa, and have now to report : The surveys, including the ahove sections, were ordered and made under the old Land Act, before the existing land laws came into operation, pirt being surveyed as long ago as 1871.' The sections are all pegged and numbered on the ground, and the map show these in their relative positions. The sections are also recorded on the record maps and salo' : n*aps, and cannot now be altered, nor the survey interfered with. Regarding those sections selected for deferred-payment in blocks IX. and Xt., I would point out that it is impossible to divide the land better or in any other wav than as already done. As to those in bloc!- X ,-enumerated above, the only coure that would meet the difficult}' of area would be foi- tho Board in this case tb depart from its custom of confining lands of the different classes to distinct blocks, and to make every alternate section an allotment for absolute sale. W. Arthur, Chi-'f, Surveyor. It was agrped to allow the sections to stand as surveyed. Mr Clark pointino* out thai if parries wished to obtain more land than was included in the deferredpayment areas they could purchase land open for sale behind the blocks mentioned. Mr Thomson mentioned that, section 21, block X.. had been recommended to be reserved for school purposes, and it was agreed to he left <uif of the' list of those open for .«e)e.ct;on ; ihe Education Board to apply for it in due course. .7 The Board then adjourned.