WASTE LAND BOARD.

Dunstan Times, Issue 794, 6 July 1877, Page 3

WASTE LAND BOARD.

—o — The following was the only business of local importance. The Crown Solicitor gave his opinion, as requested by the Board on the IGth inst., with reference to persons in illegal occupation of a reserve and street-line at Cromwell. It was resolved that Mr Marsh, who had lodged a complaint, should be informed that the Board could not take any action in the matter. The District Land Officer at Clyde reported on a petition from residents, asking that another block of 5000 acres might be opened for settlement on Run No. 199, leased by Messrs Can-gill and Anderson, north-cast of and adjoining blocks 111 and IV, and upon other papers connected with the application. The Chief Commissioner said that Mr Warden Simpson’s report was a most exhaustive one, and it was accompanied by a carefully-drawn plan showing the sites of the different blocks occupied under the de-ferred-payment system under lease. There was also a topographical sketch of the proposed new block to be opened for settlement. Tho whole matter had in his absence been referred to a commission, and he did not know how tho Board proposed to deal with the Warden’s report. Mr Strode suggested that the report had better stand over till the commission did its work.

The Chief Commissioner said that it would he found that the matter had boon most exhaustively treated in the report. M r Butterworth said the report should be referred to the Commission. The matter was first referred to Mr Warden Simpson, and then Mr Bastings was under the impression tihat the Warden would not care to furnish them with a report. He thought it would now be well for the Board to consider the report, for it was quite possible that they might act upon it.

The Chief Commissioner said he had read the report, which was a good one, based upon an actual examination of the 'ground in question. ( Mr CJark thought that the matter should lie over until next week, as Mr Bastings was not there.

The Chief Commissioner said that ho hoped their action in the matter would not be misconstrued. He was sure that the Board had the greatest confidence in Mr Simpson’s report—(hear, hear.) Ho was glad to have an opportunity of saying that. Mr Green thought it would he an insult to Mr Simpson not to receive his report.

The Chief Commissioner said that Mr Simpson had received no notice whatever that the matter had been referred to a commission, with the exception of what he knew from the public prints.

Mr Clark said the matter had not been referred to a commission because the Board had any want of confidence in Mr Simpson. Consideration of the matter was deferred for a week, to enable the Commissioners to read the report. The Carlisle and Caledonian Quarts: Mining Company (Limited) applied to have their gold-mining lease of section 1, Lauder district, cancelled. It was resolved to cancel the lease.