WASTE LAND BOARD.

Evening Star, Issue 3478, 16 April 1874, Page 2

WASTE LAND BOARD.

The usual weekly meeting of the Board was held this day; present—The Chief Commissioner, Messrs Bastings, Butterwortb, and Clarke.

Mr Stout appeared on behalf of the Scandinavian Water-race Company, with reference to the sale of St. Hathau’s township, stating that they objected s rongly to such sale, unless the Government compensated them. Mr Bastings said when he was recently in that district he found that the opposition to the sale was not considerable j and that, in fact, he had a letter from the secretary to the Company on behalf of which Mr Stout appeared, to the effect that their objections

were not insuperable. After discussion, it was decided that the sections, as before arranged, be sold as soon as possible, at an upset price of M2 10s per section. Mr Charles Hill complained that a Mr Alexander Fraser had taken possession of the portion of bush marked out by complainant for himself. Mr Hill and another witness stated that ne had marked out his portion according to the regulations. Mr Fraser did not appear, though he had received notice that the complaint would be heard to-day ; but Banger Valpy, who was present, stated that Mr Fraser had a license, and also contradicted the statements of Mr Hill. The question was adjourned for a week, to obtain the presence of Mr Fraser.

Mr Raggitt, for Mr Alexander Tomkins, applied to purchase section 166, Port Ohalmers. On examination of the map it was found that the section had been marked as an Educational Reserve, but Mr Haggitt stated that it had never been legally reserved. This proved to be the case, and it was decided to offer the section for sale by auction. J

Tne District Land Officer reported on the application of Mr Durward for a coal lease in the Coal Creek; district, recommending the Bench to grant the application' pu condition of Mr Durward opening aright'-of-way frpm Creek. Mr A. Bathgate appeared for applicant, and Messrs Kenyon and Turtou opposed, on behalf of Mr Macready, the neighboriug leaseholder. It was decided to recommend the Government to declare a larger coal reserve at the spot, and grant leases to parties desiring them. The District Land Officer reported on the application of Mr Hugh Bruce for a license to mine for coal at Havelock, stating that the cnly objection was one by Mr G. P. C. Browne, who already had a lease in'the district. Mr Browne wrote asking for an adjournment till he could attend himself. The tp be sketched; after which a license may be granted on the usual terms, Mr ' harjea Falcbngr applied to purchase ■SO acres ot section 33, block 1, Akatore. To be surveyed, and then put up to auction as land of special value, at an upset price of Ll Is per acre.

Mr Driver, of Driver, Stewart, and Co., stated that he had some time since, for Mr J, Anderson, of Wycdham station, applied for pre-emptive rights on runs 161 and 162, and for Mr John Muir on run 167, and that he had paid the necessary deposit, amounting to L 1,300. He had since received netice that the land in question was outside the boundaries, but the money had not been returned. This was paid into the Survey Office at Invercargilj. Applicants now wished'to have the deposit returned, and their applications amended: Two months’ extension of time was granted to allow the applications to be renewed.

H. Howorth applied for an agricultural lease on run 328. Applicant was referred to the Invercargill office. Messrs Gillies and Street, on behalf of Mr Peter Hobertson, applied, under clause 73, tor a pastoral lease of 2,600 acres in the Waitahuna district. Mr Bastings said this was a portion of the Tuapeka commonage, but a part which was open to lease. Tf-e application was refused, until it came through the Government, Reports of the various gangers were received on the' question of the wasteful destruction of the forests in the Province, These had been invited at the instance of the General Government, and bke question was whether they should be forwarded direct to the Colonial secretary, or be touched upon by the Board. It was argued that the Rangers were the servants of the Board, and that the request to report had emanated front the Superintendent, and it was eventually decided to forward the reports to his Honor. Mr It. A. Cameron applied to take up hi» pre-emptive right on run 398. Application to be made to the Queenstown Land Office.

. , r Grbell applied for the pre-emptive rights on runs 76, 171, and 77, in the Waxkouaifci district. Approved. \J' e^er to the Superintendent by Messrs Joseph Harding and Co., applying for encouragement in starting a saw-mill and fish-caring establishment at one of the West Coast Bounds was read, having been handed to the Board by his Honor. It stated that the price charged by the Board tor the right of cutting timber on the waste lands could not with reason apply to : the enterpriae, peeing that the main obstacle to !

settlement in that district is its densely wooded character. It was deoiled not to accede to the request, as the timber on the West Coast was considered as valuable as That in the other parts of the Province. The application of Mr C. C. Boyes, to purchase sections 1 and 2, block 3, and 1, block I» Coneburn district, held under pre-emptive dght, was approved. Ah Hee applied to purchase sections 1 and 2, block 17, Roxburgh. To wait quarterly sales.

The plan was submitted for approval of Mr Henry Campbell’s application for pre-' emptive right on run 334, Lake Wanaka. Approved.

The District Land Officer reported favorably on the applications of Messrs Martin, Broad, and Manual, to purchase sections 41, 44, and 40, block 2, Teviot. Approved.