WELLINGTON LANDS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1006, 22 December 1910, Page 4

WELLINGTON LANDS.

» THE DISTRICT BOARD. The Land Board met yesterday, Mr. .Tames Mackenzie (Commissioner of Crown Lands); presiding. Also present were:—Messrs. J. Dawson, H. T. Ell. ingliam, J.. Georgett-i, and W. M'Lennan. TITLES AND TRANSFERS. Titles were approved on tho usual conditions as underSection 39, Block X, l'ohongina S.D., A. P. Brown; Section 3, Block I, Aohanga S.D., J. Harris, jun.; Section 17, Block A, Mount Cerberus S.D., J. M'Donald. Tho following transfers wero approved : —Section 4, Block XV, Ohinewairua S.D., W. Dember to J. Thomason; Sections 23a and 23b, Block I, Makuri S.D., H. Gregory to M. S. Gregory; Section 23, Mataroa V.S., E. W. Harris to P. Clark; Sections 18, 19, and parts' of 13, 16, and 17, Ngaturi V.S., J. M'Phail to -W. A. Wallis;. Sections 30, 31, 32, and 33,' Ngaturi V.S., J. M'Phail to W. A. Wallis; Sections 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, Block VIII, Makuri S.D. (Ngaturi V.S.), J. M'Phail to W. A. Wallis; Section 3, Block 11, ,'Hunua S.D., B. Hutson to W.:J'.' Comrie' (treasurer, Presbyterian Church); Section 33, Mataroa V.S., W. H. Harris, to M. Murphy; Section 76, Block VIII, Belmont S.D. (Normandalo Settlement), C. F. Morris to W. Barnes; Section 39, Block I, Maugaono S.D., H. Murrell to J. Daysh; Section 61, Block X, Kaitawa S.D., H. Thomas to R. E. Ewart (subject to noxious.weeds being, destroyed); Section 17, Block XV, Mangaono S.D., S. M. Gcorse to W. J- Blake.

Subdivision of Section 16, Taihapo V.S., and transfer of a portion-from J. M'Cracken to C. H. Lord was also approved. Tho board approved transfers of tramway grant, grazing rights, and rights to erect sawmills and dam streams as follows: —Sections 16, 17. and 32, Block 111, Makotuku S.D., C: 0. .Gibbs to R. A. Wilson. ' TRANSFER APPLICATIONS. A report was received from C.L.R. on the transfer of Section 47, Block I, Tiriraukawa, from Mr. L. J. Jamioson to Mrs. L. A. Cox. It was resolved to postpone consideration until next meeting. 1 Mr. R. H. Hughes applied to transfer Section 21, Block XIII, Mangahao, to Mr- A. D. Bryant. It was resolved to decline the request. Messrs. E % and S. E<san applied to transfer Section 16, Block XIII, Mangahao, to-Mr. A. B. Anderson. It was resolved to decline the request, but not to.opposo a transfer to any . eligible landless person. Mr. H. G." J. Sinclair, lesseo of Section 13, Block IV, Pohangina, 200 acres,' applied to transfer tho same to Mrs. Stella Handley. It was decided to decline the application in view of the fact that, if it were effected. Mr. ( and Mrs. Handley would hold somo 2036 acres'in all.

Sir. J. Brougham' applied to transfer Section 10, ■ Block X, Ra'ngataua V.S., to .Mr. A. E. Williams. It was resolved to recommend under tho special circumstances.

Mr. Owen Evans applied to transfer part 4,. of Section 43, Mangaweka V.S., to Mr. M. Peterson. It was resolved to approvo the transfer subject to Mr. Evaus satisfying the Commissioner that he has fulfilled his obligations to his neighbours;';!!} regard to tho fencing, of. tho.boundary lines. • ■ Mr. J. Monteiih. applied to transfer Section 1, Pakihikura V.S., to Mrs. Bessie Smith. As tho regulations provido that married women aro not eligible, tWlransfcr was disallowed. Messrs. C. H.. Smith and F. J. Now-: son applied to transfer Section 13, Block IX, Maugaiiui,,to Mr. C. H. Smith. It was resolved to. obtain a report from tho C.L.R. , ' . . '. Mr. George Parker applied to transfer; Section 48, Block XIV, Ohincwairua, to tho Rov. Percy AViso Clarkson. As tho proposed transferee already holds four allotments in Taihape Town in addition to Lots 9, 10, .11, and Section 24, Taihape V.-5.,..0n ..which ho has. failed to resido as required bv his lease, it :.was.resolvc^.to'.disallow, tho. application,; but to permit a transfor to any eligible landless' applicant. Mr. M'Lennan dissented. Mr. Jas. Kannaird, jun., applied to transfer. Section 16, Block VII, Ranga-t-aua Town, to Mrs. Sarah; Ellis. It was resolved to recommend under tho circumstances, subject to tho' Commissioner being satisfied that all'liabilities ill regard to improvements effected on tho land havo been duly paid, and tho transfer to bo' approved ■ by the Minister. ' ' '

With reference tc tbo proposed transfer of Sections 7 and 1, IJlock IV, Umutoi, from Mr. J: J. Welsh to-Mrs. I£. M. 0. Venables and Mr. A. V. Venables respectively (wliich the board last meeting declined to approvo on 'account of aggregation),- Mr. J; Prior, solicitor, of Folding, ivroto pointing out that, about three years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Venables wero granted " subleases of these sections with purchasing clauses, and a substantial deposit had been paid, which' practically amounted to a sale of the land. It was resolved that, although the board did not pledge itself to approve a transfer when applied for, yet under the special circumstances this transfer would bo approved. Mr.' President Rhodes applied to be allowed to sublet the house on Section 33, Mangaweka ..V.S., It was resolved to obtain.- a' ranger's roport-.

Mr. M. Daly, lessee of Section. 14, Block 11, Kakahi V.S., wrote asking to bo allowed to a cottage on the section' on which ho pronoses to reside in a smaller, building. It was resolved to. approve on tho usual conditions for twelvo months.

The Commissioner submitted a further communication from the UnderSecretary with reference to tho removal of the building by Messrs. Briscoe and Co., Ltd.,'on part of Section 99 and 101., Hutt Road. It was. resolved that, although the board is averse to any reduction in the amount claimed, the matter should bo left in the Commissioner's hands to settle on such terms as ho considered equitable.

Messrs. Quin Bros, wrote with reference to the steps which they propose to tako for the destruction of tho sawdust on Section 5, Block IV, Maungakaretu. Resolved that immediate steps must be taken, in terms of their license, to destroy the sawdust-.

A report was received from tlio C.L.R.. 011 the proposal to cut two channels (one . through Section 21, Block I, Mangaone, and tho other through portion of the river bank and road rcservo in front of Section 1) for •the purpose of preventing the flooding of the Mangatamoka River over 'tlio road, and adjacent sections at this point. Resolved to approvo tho proposal to cut tlio channels, but to adviso the local body that thero is 110 power to lease to Mrs.. Prajcan any portion of tho river bank and road reserve. ACCRUED THIRDS. The resident road engineer submitted proposals for tlio expenditure of thirds accrued in West Taupo County. Tlio ranger's report being favourable, tho board approved tho proposals. Amount approved, £259 17s. 9d. it was also resolved that the thirds accrued on sections in the Maminui V.S. should bo withheld for the present as thero is a proposal to form a town board there. Tlio Horowhemia County Council submitted proposals for the expenditure of thirds accrued to April 30, 1910. Tho ranger's report being favourable, tho board ..approved. Amount approved, £2G' Is. Gd.. ■ ■ It was resolved to recommend that

the freehold of about, one. acre in. tho Waimarino'Township bo granted to tho Roman Catholic Church under Section 140 of Tho Land Act, 1908, tho commissioner to approve site and lix the upset price. Mr. C. G. Johnson, licensee of Section 4, Block VII, Retaruke, 1185 acres, wrote regarding improvements in arrcar, and stated that the contractors, to" whom ho had let 164' acres to fell, had quarrelled amongst themselves after felling 60 acres, and had left tho district. It was resolved to grant a further extension of timo for six months in which to complete the deficient improvements.

Mr. John Copcland, lessee of Section 59, Mammui V.S., wrote with reference to tho board's decision that ho must cither reside oil tho land in a bona fido manner, or sub-let tho land to someone who would comply with tho conditions of residence. It was resolved that tlio section must be held in bona fide occupation. Mr. J. A. Hinds, lessee of Section Ohakune V.S., wrote asking for permission to sublet the' section so as to carry on'tho business of his late sister, and her husband at Auckland. It was resolved that, if he does not wish to keep tho section himself, ho should apply to tho board to determine his interest in it.

Mr. J. Kitchen, lessee of Section 169, Block V 111, Ilaetilii Township, forwarded his lease duly surrendered. Resolved to accept on tho usual conditions. Tho commissioner reported that Mr. J. 31. B. Collier had not resided on Section 7, Block IV, Ngamatea, for which ho desired to obtain tho' freehold title, nor on Section 5, Block I, Maungakaretu, his sister's section, which the_ hoard resolved in July last to accept in lieu of residence on Section 7. . It was resolved that bona fido residential conditions myst bo complied with forthwith. Tlio commissioner reported that Miss \. M. Woolridge was still residing with her parents on Section 9, adjoining her own section, part-13 of 8, Block XIV, Mangahao. It was resolved to tako no action in tlio meantime. , Mr. H. Hall, lessoo of Lot 2 of Section. 4t, Levin V.S., wrote asking for a further oxtension of twelve months in which to build and reside. R-esolvcd to decline tho request, and require Mr. Hall to do so forthwith. Mr. T.; G. Vincent, lessee of Lot 3 of. 47, Levin V.S., applied for a further extension of twelve months in which to build and reside. Resolved to decline tho request, and to require Mr. .Vincent to do so forthwith. Mr. E. H. Snow, lessee of Section 14, Block VI, Rangataua Township, wrote asking tho board to accept his residenco on his freehold Section 13 in lieu of compliance on Section 14. It was resolved to grant twelve months' timo in which to tako up residenco on Section 14. Mr. W. Early, lessee of Section 2, Block VII, Rangataua Township, wrote stating, that his builder finds himself unablo to start the houso until the second week in January. Resolved to extend exemption from residonco until tlio end of February next.

Miss Maggie Morris, lessee of Section 2, Block I, Horopito West Township, wrote stating that sho was now stumping, and getting tlio section ready for her house, and will bo residing there shortly after the New Year.- It was resolved to grant tlirco months' further exemption. 1

Mr. T. Laurenson, lessee of Section 11, Block X, Oraukura 1.F., wroto objecting to the forfeiture of his interest in tho section. : Resolved that-, as lie has_ now paid arrears of rental, the proVisional cancellation of his interest bo rescinded. , ' FORFEITURES. Mr. A. F. J. W. Kerr wroto in reply to the board's notice calling upon him to show cause why his interest in Section, 23, Block V, Mount Cerberus, should 'not bo, declared forfeited for failure to comply, with the Tesidential conditions. It was resolved tliufc ho must reside in a bona fide manner within four months. Mr. J. S. Dunn wrote appealing against tho board's decision to forfeit his interest in Section 2, Block 111,. Kaitiekc S.D. for non-residence. Resolved that thero really appears to bo no option but to confirm the forfeiture as, otherwise, tho Hawko's Bay Land Board would have . to forfeit Mr. Dunn's interest in at least three of tho leases; in that district -.as, ho, obtained tho transfer when ho was not eligible to bo tho transferee.

With regard to the Ciwn Land between tho road and railway lino south of Kawatahi Road crossing, Messrs. W. and D. J. M'Lennan applied for a lease from year to year subject to persons now squatting to remain during ■ tho hoard's pleasure.—Approved. It was resolved to decline an application from, the Powell Process Co., Ltd., . for the right to mill timber on an area of 1000 acres of Crown lands in Block 11, Karioi. It was resolved to approvo of Mr. Dallison being granted a permit to occupy Sections 11 and 12, Block VII, Pohangina, from year to . year under Section 130 of The Land Act, 1908, at a rent of £1 10s. per annum. It was resolved to approvo of Mr.. W. Roberts being granted tho right to mill timber on about 47 acres of tho Piripiri Block upon such terms and conditions and at such royalties as the commissioner may fix. Tho commissioner' reported that Mr. E. T. Broadbelt, lesseo of Sections 3 and 23, Block VIII, Makotuku, had now paid up tho arrears of rental on tho sections. It was therefore resolved to rescind the forfeiture of his interest.

It was resolved that as Mr. Thompson, lessee of Sections 63, 69, and 70, Mangaveka V.S., has now paid uj> tho arrears of rental to date, tho provisional cancellation be rescinded. Mr. J. T. Carr wrote with referenco to tho rent duo on Sections 28 and 57, Block VI, Hautapn. It was resolved that ho must pay at least one-half tho arrears by the 31st. instant. Mr. W. G. Somerville wrote and attended on Mrs. E. Somervillo's behalf, and appealed against tho decision of the board of last meeting to forfeit, her interest in Sections 7 and 18, Block I, Owliango Township. It was resolved to rescind the forfeiture. Mr. W. G. Somerville wrote and attended . with reference to tho board's resolution to forfeit. Mrs. E. Somervillo's interest in Section 13, Block 111, Kaitioko, unless tho transfer to Mr. Yule is completed at once, or tho payments in arrcar, amounting to £221, afo paid at once, and satisfactory arrangements aro mado to cffect tho deficient improvements.—lt was resolved to dcclare Mr. Somervillo's interest in the section forfeited, but to give one month in which to appeal. Tho matter ■was left in the commissioner's hands of completing a transfer in tho meantime, if ono can bo effected. LANDS FOR SETTLEMENT. • It was resolved to approve of Scction 96, Block VIII, Belmont (NormaniTale Settlement), area 44 acres 2 roods, 28 perches, being re-offered on renewable lease at tho iato rent of £21 3s. per annum. Mr. J. L. Bonde, lesseo of Section 13, Block I, Niikuinaru, 96 .acres, applied for an additional area of 200 acres, to bo cut out of Section 14, Block 1, Nukumaru, which is to bo re-opened for selection on February 1, 1911. It was resolved to disallow tho request, as tho section is being reopened on "February 1 next. TIMBER RIGHTS. Messrs. Adsott and Manning applied for the right to mill Sections 26 (Block IX), and 14, 43, 44, 45 (Block X), Hunua- (North AVaimarino, LP.)/ It was resolved to authorise the Commissioner of Crown Lands to deal with tho application on such terms and at such royalties as lie may sec fit. , . It! was resolved, to approvo Mr. W. Cleaver's application for an area of cno

acre of Crown land at Mataroa, being' Suburban Section No. 40, at -a rental of £1 per annum, for 11 yearly term, and subject tn the usual conditions. Tlio trustees in the Rhodes Estate wrote, in consenting to exchange equal areas at tho north and south sides of Sections 99 and 101, Wadestown, with tho Grown, to rectify boundaries. >Tho board agreed to tho exchange, and empowered the commissioner to carry out tho details. The commissioner was authorised to fix royalties, and complete tho disposal of timber-cutting rights on royalty, and to, issuo the nceossary licenses. - Mr. H. C. Harvey, lessee'of Sections 5, 4, 8, Block 111, Makotulni, applied for permission to grant timber rights, and rights to erect machinery and to construct roads and bridges to Messrs. J. Jensen, J. N. A. Petersen, and C. T. Harris. It was resolved to approve tho application.

Messrs. J. Baglcy and C. Carlson, licensees of Section 2, Block 111, Makotuku, applied for permission to grant to Messrs. J., F. A., and J. T. Quin tho right to construct tramways, roads, and bridges, and erect sawmills and machinery on tho section. It was resolved to.approve the application. Miss C. Dickson applied to transfer her interest in Section 5, Block 11, Matotuku, to H. C. Riley. It was resolved to grant tho application, but to warn the transferee that tho residential conditions' had not been complied with, and that tho freehold title cannot be issued until tliero has been six years' continuous residence.

G. W. Batley wrote . with reference to residence on Section 3, Block XII, Ohinewairua. It was resolved that, as tho previous holder had. practically resided for the full term before tho license was transferred to Mr. Batley, to take no furthor action in-the matter.

•The board adjourned -until to-day at 10 a.m.