ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

Dunstan Times, Issue 558, 27 December 1872, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

—n— WAI KERI KERI BLOCK.

(TO THE EDITOR OE THE DUNSTAN TIKES.) Sir,—Not haying had an opportunity of publicly informing the residents of this district the- result of the delegation, of which I formed a part, I consider it my duty to take this opportunity of doing so. 1 would first refer your readers to the report of the delegation, as it appears in the Morning Siar, which I have no doubt you will notice, to that report may be added, that 1 stated there was not a piece of land of the same extent in the whole of (ha Duastan district, that would hurt the interest of the- district so much, by being freehold property, as this particular piece would, also, that the Superintendent said that while they would be enquiring into the matter, that they would require to see that it did not come under the Land Transfer Act. There was a meeting of the Executive immediately aftei the deputation retired, end subsequently we were informed, both by the Superintendent and the Secretary of the Gold-fields, that they were fully convinced of the injustice of the sale. They considered that the sale was improper and irregular, though no one in particular could be blamed, as the fault was more in the imperfect machinery for administering the Land Laws—they would in the meantime wit hold the Crown Grant, and stop the land being transferred, but would endeavor to make terms with the purchaser to redeem the land, failing that, the Government would defend any action brought against them in tho matter, they also entered a minute on the Executive books— That no mwe land in tho Leaning Rock Survey District be sold. Tire following memorandum was to be presented to tho Superintendent by Mr. M‘Thereon on the first opportunity,— “ Memorandum fur the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, “ Action of Waste Lands Board by ‘ The Otago-Waste Lends Act, 1866.’ “ClaisV'XVll. reversible only by order of Supreme Court. “Clause XVIlf. limits time within which anpeal may bo made to thirty days from date of Board’s decision. “ Applications for rehearing (by aggrieved parties) by Waste Lands Board may be granted without any limitation of time. J*Clause XXIII. gives power to Board to sell land ‘ situate within any gold-field. ” 11 Any a-'grieved person may now apply for rehearing. “Action lies with tho Provincial Government, and, I submit, the Superintendent is the 1 aggrieved’ party, and may apply for the rehearing, as he is alleged to be liable (representing tho Council) to compensations in excess of the purchase money. This, under the Statute. Public policy also points theduty of Superintendent to prevent the damage to mining enterprise if the real facts be as alleged. As granting lands within gold-fields appears to be entirely with discretion of Board, it is competent to them to reverse the'r -decision on grounds of public policy.” „ , W. 3; Moorhodse, Secretary, Crown Lands ” “March 7, 1872.” This being the opinion of an eminent gentleman on a similar case—should the Oove-ii.nent, act upon it, the matter may yet be settled satisfactory to tho district. Your's, Ac., t : .T. ALEXANDER.,. Clyde, Deo. ®S, 1872