SMALL GRAZING RUNS.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 875, 27 April 1903, Page 2

SMALL GRAZING RUNS.

A MEMBER'S REPLY TO MR HOOD

(To the Editor Gisborne Times.) Silt, —For some reason or other your correspondent Mr Aeland Hood is very dissatisfied with the Land Board’s actions at their last meetiug. Now, sir, just consider the simple motion which was proposed by Mr Hall, aud carried without a division of tne Board, that three small grazing run-holders “ Shall state reasons why tuey be, not called upon to reside.” In passing the motion we were only following our usual custom when reports are iuid before the Board. If the ranger had no right to mention anything about Mr Aciaud Hood’s non-residence the fault was the ranger’s, not the Board’s. It is impossible lor the Board to know all the tenants personally, ami perhaps it is as well they do not, lor tuey theu can keep clear of personal iiiiiuence. However, as I read tne Act oi 1892 I hud that Clause 17b provides that holders of small giazwg runs shall reside continually irons tne tmru year to the end of the term of lease. Exemptions may be granted under certain conditions, but those conditions do not include anything about improvements, aud by passing the mutiuu the Board was actuated ouiy by a spirit ot fairness; firstly, that the largo holder as well as the small one should give the Board reasons why he evades the conditions, and further satisfy the public, whose servants the Board arc, that no undue favor is being extended to any party which has been withheld from another. Mr Hood says he can give reasons; well, this is all the Board asks, and why not do it without writing to the papers '!—l am, etc., R. R. Groom,