WASTE LAND BOARD.

Evening Star, Issue 3639, 21 October 1874, Page 2

WASTE LAND BOARD.

The weekly meeting of the Board was held to-day; present—the Chief Commissioner, Messrs Bntterworth, Clark, Reid, and Strode. Mr Connell, for Mr Alexander Sampson, asked the Board’s deci-ion on his application for forty-seven acres in the Duaback district. Warden’s report to be obtained, when, if favor tble, the application will be granted, after a survey is made and Sir F. U. Bell’s lease cancelled. Mr George Duncan asked if the Board would pub up to auction fifty acres of the Hawkesbury bush, adjoining fifty acres already cut up into sections.—The Chief Commissioner was of opinion that the whole of the bush in question should be cut up and sjld.—Mr Reid was opposed to the sale, and the application was declined. Mr David Davis asked, for the return of survey fees paid on section 24, block 9, ToiTois. Referred to the Government. Mr John Patterson objected to the purchase of Mr John Grey of sections 2 and 3, block 1, Table Hill, stating that as the land adjoined his own, he (Mr Patterson) was willing to take a lease of it on any terms the Board might decide upon. Postponed. The District Land Officer at Clyde wrote requesting the Board to appoint some other person than himself to value the improvements made by Messrs Dawkins and Pearce, who had applied for a site for a slaughter’ yard, as he took a remark made by Mr Commissioner Strode (to the effect that Mr Mario had been unfairly treated) as reflecting upon him.—Mr Strode expressed bis astonishment at hearing this, as he had not referred to tho District Land Officer at all, but to the action of the opposing parties in the matter. Instead of reflecting upon that gentleman, he had always considered him the most competent officer on the goldfieds.—Mr Reid conenrred, saying the Board aPways received this official’s reports with the greatest confidence. It was decided that Mr Simpson be written to informing him that he must oe under some misapprehension as to the opinions expressed by the members of the Board on his action.

The case of Messrs Howorth and Bradshaw s copper mining lease came again before the Board.—Mr. Strode, who had been appointed to inquire into the matter, reported that it appeared that applicants paid the survey fee on July 20, 1865, but that the survey had not been completed until May, 1873. He said the Provincial Solicitor, therefore, thought it only reasonable that the lease should commence from July 1, 1874, as applicants desired, instead of July L 1873. Also, that reasonable compensation should be paid applicants by any parties of misers who may injure their woikings, and vict vered, and sundry minor matters. These were agreed to by the Board, a covenant to be inserted in the lease to the effect that work be carried on without intermission after two years from the date of lease, July, 1874. The chairman and clerk to the Tokomairiro Boad Hoard wrote objecting to the tale of section 20, block 3, Cleveland. The sale not to be proceeded with. The District Land officer at Clyde referred an application by Mr R, Kidd for a quarry license for half-an-aore of land near Crumwe 1. Declined.

Mr Thomas Calcutt wrote asking to be informed the date on which hia application for the section in Moeraki district. Postponed till next sitting, Mr John Lax ton applied for permission to oecupy a part of Quarry Hill, Arrowtown. .Referred to the local Corporation. Mr John M'Ksrrow asked for return of survey fees paid for section 16, block 9, Toilois. Referred to the Government. Mr Stratford resigned his appointment of District Land officer at Naseby, and recommended Mr Warden Robinson in his place Approved,