PUBLIC RESERVES CANNOT BE SOLD

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 31, 31 October 1919, Page 7

PUBLIC RESERVES CANNOT BE SOLD

. AX OFFICIAL STATEMENT. At the meeting of title Land.Board ycsferd.lv the Commissioner of Crown Lands (Mr. G. 11. M. M'Clure) made the following statement with respect to public re-, serves :—

''I wish to state publicly that public, reserves are' not open'for application or available for disposal for settlement. Applications aro constantly being received both from discharged soldiers and civilians for lands that have bepn specially set aside as reserves for public purposes. These applications are generally supported by a statement that fiho reserve applied for is not required for the purpose for which it lias made or that it is not suitable tor that purpose. The statement that a reserve is no longer suitable for the purpose for which it was set aside invariably accompanies an appli : cation for a forest or scenic reserve, and the reason is always the same—damage by fire. The extent of the damage is, however, generally exaggerated ■by the applicant. It is well known and keenly Tegretted that the average settler takes little interest- in these forest-clad areas except as.a possible addition to his holding when constantly recurring fires have destroyed the bush and the natural beauty. In practically every case applications to obtain reserves on permanent tenure have to be refused after investigation, but the investigation, consideration, and correspondence entailed takes up the time of officers already overburdened with important duties and causes unnecessary, expense.'- It cannot- therefore be too widely known that reserves for public purposes are not available for disposal for.'settlement. These remarks do not of course refer to lands set aside as endowments." ,