A COMMISSIONER OF CROWN LANDS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2732, 29 March 1916, Page 7

A COMMISSIONER OF CROWN LANDS

:-.< 'rrr - '-9- — •:. » ' . , EULOGISED" BY MEMBERS OF THE ' BOARD. By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright Napier, March 28. Sterling references, testifying to iihe ability of Mr.,W.H. Skinner, Commissioner of Crown Lands for Hawke's I Bay, who leaves on Thursday on transfer to Christchureh',' were made at today's • Laid Board meeting, when all the members present l paid tributes to his ..undeniable, interest in settling the land, and' expressed deep regret at losiug him. . -..,(■ Mr. R. B. Boss, representative' of Crown.tenants, said it' was to be re-' gretted that-the promotion scheme of the Department necessitated Mr. Skinner's transfer lo Christchureh. .■:•■ It was a'inost unfortunate thing that the classification scheme in many' cases had the effect of being against the interests of the public, generally; If a man occupied the position of Crown Lands Commissioner in any district for a less period than' five years, the best use was not being made of his services. Mr. Skinner had been here-for two years, and was ■ possessed of the actual requirements of , : tho settlers,', yet under this promotion scheme and the Commissioner'? transfer ,to Canterbury, the people of this district and the Dominion generally, were losing tiie benefit' of the knowledge he had acquired. He trust: od Mr. Skinner's services would be of as''great'value,to the people of Canterbury as they would have been had he remained in < this district. The Commissioner had always done his-utmost to further the interests of the Crown tenants whom he [Mr. Ross) represented: Mr. Skinner, in reply, briefly thanked the members of the board for their'kind remarks, and said he had tried his best during his stay in Hawke's Bay. He hao always endeavoured to meet the wishes of settlers by going to investigate any matters ■ that arose, and see l • mg for himself the prevailing conditions. A Commissioner should havo sympathy with those who were battling *nd brealdng-in new country.