WASTE LANDS BOARD.

Evening Star, Issue 4096, 12 April 1876, Page 2

WASTE LANDS BOARD.

At the Board’s weekly meeting to-day, at which there were present—Messrs Strode (in the chair), Reid, Bntterworth, and Clark, the following business was transacted : _ Messrs Gillies and Street, for B. Hankinson, applied for a license to oecupy a small island in the Wauaka Lake, known as Roy’s Island, about two and a-half miles from Pembroke, containing about seven acres. Declined.

Messrs Joel, Hudson, Spedding, Rossbotbam, and Goodman requested a refund of their deposits paid on land in Furakanui township purchased by them in consequence of the land having been represented in the advertisement of sale as within half a mile of the railway, which statement they now found to be incorrect. Declined.

Mr M. Fitzgerald complained of certain persons illegally occupying Crown lands at Waikava, and that by their construction of dams and water- aces they were flooding the land and damaging the forest. Referred to the Ranger. Daniel Clarke’s application (made through Mr A. C. Begg) for a license to occupy a village reserve in block 6, Kuriwao, was declined.

James Buchanan was granted a coal lease (subject to the usual conditions) of two acres at Evans’ Flat. Mrs A. Hammond asked that her name might be recorded as the occupant of section 2, Highlay, held by her late husband on deferred payments. It was recorded that the Board was unable to interfere under the special circumstances of the case. Mr D. Macrorie wrote that, on account of the appointment of a salaried auctioneer for the ordinary sales he could not consent to conduct auction sales, of deferred payment sections for less than 5 per cent, commission on two years’ rental. Mr Macrorie’s resignation was accepted, and it was resolved to appoint Mr C. Howard to conduct sales of land at the Invercargill office. The applications of John Morris and James Falconer, to purchase an acre each of section 44, block 10, Waitahuna East, held by them under residence certificate, were declined.

Mr D. H. Mervyn’s application, to purchase 200 acres, being section 10, block 1, Teviot, was declined, as the land had been set apart by proclamation for agricultural leasing. Mr Mervyn, on behalf of the miners at Benger, asked the Board to review its decision with reference to the application of Patrick and M‘Leod for lands at Benger, being part of the mining reserve. The Board decided to adhere to its former decision pending a survey being made and plans being laid before it. J and H, Hodgson applied to have the original area of land paid for by them granted, or the excess paid returned. It was resolved to recommend the applicant to return his grant, and inquiry will be insti tuted. Referred to Government.

It was decided that the deferred payment licenses in the Heriot Hundred should be issued forthwith, and Mr Wm. M‘Kay, of Dunrobin, was appointed to issue depasturing licenses within the Hundred.