TIMBER ROYALTIES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 648, 27 October 1909, Page 10

TIMBER ROYALTIES.

: . (By Tel=sraph.-Sj>ecial' Correspondent.) •' • ■---■■■ •■■'• Auckland, October-26. "i A.matter of considerable.importance to_local bodies cam* before the Hobson ■ County Council when the question of timber royalties was discussed. It was stated (says a Dargaville message) that both Sir' Joseph' Ward.! and Mr. H'Nab had definitely promised to have (he law amended so that local bodies could be granted a moiety of the royalties accruing from milling timber removed from Crown lands. In respect of this matter a quotation from the "Pelorus Guardian" was read, reporting that in reply to a deputation from the Pelorus Road Board Sir Joseph Ward stated most emphatically that it was never intended by Parliament that tithos from Stato forests should be paid to local bodies. On the other, hand,-three members of tho present Ministry-tho Hons. B.' MTvenzie, G. JWlds, and -J. A. Millar—and three exmembers—tho Hons. C. H. Mills and Messrs. M'Nab and Hogg—during addresses said that there could not be any possibility of doubt that Parliament intended that half the tithes from Crown lands and State, forests should be paid to the local bodies. Mr; Dargavillo stated that there was ample evidence in , that Sir Joseph Ward did give a certain 'deputation such assurance. He thought, however, that it would be wise;tp.ascertain-how Parliament dealt with the petition now being so largely signed, and if not satisfactory to the council ho said he would advocate that a number of the localbodies concerned should combine and take a test case into court. The. Act stated clearly and distinctly that local bodies should have all royalties off Crown lauds.