LAND BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2133, 16 July 1907, Page 1

LAND BOARD.

A meeting of tlic Hawke’s Bay Land Board was held at tho Gisborne Lands Ofiieo yesterday. The Commissioner (Mr. Henry Trent) presided, Messrs. Hydo, Groom, and Bartram being also present. FENCING. Robert McNeil, lessee of section 1, block tl, Uawa (Wigan), wrote with lelerenco to ring-fencing liis section. Mr. Bertram considered that he should fence tho road the same as other settlors. The Board agreed with this view, and notice will be given accordingly, time being allowed for the work. M. Mullaney, lessee of section 3," block 6, Uawa (Wigan), also wrote regarding ring-fencing. He would complete when tho weather permitted.—Three months’ timo will bo allowed. On the same subject a letter was read from Mary McNeil, lessee of section 2, block 10 Uawa (Wigan).The explanation was accepted, and a caution will be sent that no trees ar 0 to bo cut without the consent of the Commissioner. S F. Clare wrote re fencing section 4, block 0, Wigan. lie had made a start, and would complete as soon as lie could get iron posts carted from Tolaga Bay. There was not a stick of timber on the place suitable for posts. He asked permission to cut battens on the property, in order to lighten the cost. —Agreed to, and time for fencing extended. NON-RESIDENCE. Hannah Caldwell wrote regarding non-residence on run 87, Wigan. Mr. J. W. Bright appeared on behalf of tho lessee. He explained that the whare was only 10 yards over the boundary. Tho mistake had been made by following the fence originally erected on the convenient fencing line, agreed upon with tho neighbors.

The ranger (Mr. Simpson) said this was the case. He recommended, however, that the Act should he enforced, and 12 months given in which to build. He understood the lessee contemplated building eventually. The whare was too old to shift. Mr. Bright urged that it was better to spend money in improvements than in buildings. The Board considered the explanation satisfactory, but the lessee will be required to fulfil the conditions within a reasonable time. No definite time was fixed.

Mr. Bright mentioned the case of Angus Fraser, who held a section at Motu, but was residing on Mrs. Fraser’s section. Mr. Fraser was quite willing to build on his section, but at present there was no means of getting timber there. A sum of £2oo had been put on the Estimates for a track, but the work was not yet done. Both husband and wife were willing to reside as soon as possible.- —The explanation was accepted as satisfactory, and extension of time granted. Mr. McL. Dowie waited on the

lio£vr\(l to ask for an extension of time in which to reside. The family had been living on the flat in order that tho children conld attend school. He had-been"under the impression that tho Board agreed to his living on the freehold adjoining. Mr. Bright said the lessee had considered tho exemption covered the full term.

The Board- agreed that, in order to give the children facilities for attending school in the meantime, a two years’ exemption, the balance of the term, he granted. A RENTAL MATTER. .

lii fclie caso of Doyle Bros., Mr. Bright said the pronorty was taken under the Bush and Swamps Act. As Charles Doylo resided ill Christchurch, his brother, Miles Doylo, wished to know if tho Board would transfer to him, without holding Him responsible for the back rent due under the joint tenancy. The Commissioner did not see how the rent could be foregone. Mr. Bright pointed out that the Act gavo certain exemption. The property was considerably improved by grassing, and it would facilitate Miles Doyle's financing to get rid of his partner, who had taken no part in the work, and was agreeable to the course suggested. Tlio Commission said that if tho matter was brought up in a formal legal manner the Board would consider it. TRANSFERS. An application was made to transfer sec. 2, block 15, Matakaoa, from A. J.-. Cameron to C. J. B. Beckett. Mr. Nolan, for the applicant, explained that Mr. Campbell could not vorv well reside, owing to deaths in the family, and it was tliereforo necessary for him to sell. —Approved. Other transfers approved wore: M J. McDougall to John Mac Kay, sec. 3, block 10, Wigan, recommended for Minister’s approval; F. Dates tj Isabella Sisterson, sec. 14, block 0, Willows; N: M. McDonald to Price Ballantyne, sec. 2, block 13, Nuliaka North. . . In the transfer application, M. M. Perrv to J. 11. D. Rutledge, sec. 2, block 9, Wigan, Mr. De Lautour appeared, and explained that the transferror was about to be married, and would take up her residence in Taranaki.—Transfer approved. An application to transfer sec. 11, block 3, Motu, from John H. Excell to Amy S. Richmond, elicited that the transferror wished to sell on account of ill-liealth in family. Tho Commissioner said that in tho first place a proper declaration had not been put in yet. A member questioned whether to transfer to a married woman would be gaining a new tenant. The ranger said tho section was very small. In view of tho situation of the land, and the small area, the application was approved, subject to tho declaration being put in. Mr. Clirisp appeared in the application to transfer sec. 11, block 15, Nuliaka North, from J. Sheridan to Bl H. Aislabie. Ho quoted the Act to show there was no legal hitch in the matter. He pointed out that the transferee -guild hold any number of tenancies so long as the area did not overstep G4O acres. —The matter was left in the hands of the Commissioner, who will. notify, from Napier, the official decision.

FOREST RESERVES. J. R. Quinn, lessee of section 1, block o, Haiigaroa, yyrotc asking if tlie E aid would exchange 300 acres of his property, on the south side, for 300 acres of the forest reserve, lying south of AVaikaremoana. He stated that his piece of land had better timber than the Government area j ho wished to get in oxchangc. The Commissioner was opposed on the ground that the transfer would bo a very complicated affair. To break into the area set apart as a forest reserve might nullify the whole block. The argument that there was better timber on Quinn's land was quite beside the question. Forest reserves wore for preservation purposes, for tho growth and cultivation of timber. To effect- an exchange he (the Commissioner) would have tr give a certificate under the Act that the reserve was of no further use for preservation purposes, and ho certainly could hot say that. Application refused for the reason stated. _ LEASE MATTERS.

R. Burgess, miscellaneous lessee, wrote, surrendering bis interest in section 89, Hangaroa Village, to Thos Holywoood.

Merest to transrer to any'liere is a proper jirocednre irtl tp follow" ont in rcThe Board accepted. the surrender only. Mr. Burgess trill be informed that as he. was only a yearly tenant he had no interest to transfer to anyone else._ There is a for the Boan letting. S. A. F. Morgan; lessee of five acres, block 6, Buckley, ujote that lie was willing to expend £37 in clearing the section of gorse, providing he was given-a better title. The Commissioner said no better

title could lie given, hut the lessee was quite sufficiently protected. So long ivs lie paid the rent the lease could not lie disturbed, unless the land was required by the Government lor a specific '.purpose. If he wanted a seven vesica’' title the land ‘could, under the Public Works Act, be dealt with, but in that case the lessee! would have to stand liis chance at public siuotibn. The present,title was quite sufficient for ordinary purposes.—An answer will be sent to this effect. Mrs. O’Sullivan, lessee id' 19 acres, section 4, block 8,-, Wainiarie settlement wrote asking to bo exempted from residence for two months. The ranger reported that the leanto residence was in a dilapidated condition. and should he put in order The place had been left with no one in charge. The Hoard granted two months’ extension and ordered tile place to he renovated in the meantime. The Commissioner remarked this : would test the holla fidcs of the holder. RANGER’S REPORT. The ranger reported on 22 properties in the various districts. The total area was 16,‘266 acres, improvements required under the Act £9884. improvements effected £23,640, ail excess of £13,756. The report on Nuliaka properties showed that five lessees were not complying with the reside lice Conditions. One was a European and the others were Native holders.—The Board do cidod to issue prompt notice. tha J unless residence is taken up the se.. tions will lie declared forfeited. The Commissioner: Make the liotic'as strict as possible. Wo must impress on them that we are here to -sec the conditions enforced. GENERAL. C. Hansen, lessee of sections 15 and 16, Motu Village, applied for exemption from residence until he disposed of liis business. Ho informed tbo Board that the sections were now used as a paddock. Ho would readily take up residence when opportunity offered. His father had been the pioneer settler in the Motu.—The

Board granted temporary exemption, on the understanding that the lessee must reside within a reasonable time J. Baddick. lessee of section 1. hi 3. Urutawa East, informed the Board that residence became due six months earlier than he had anticipated. As he was debarred from taking up a section adjacent in the Auckland land district, through being a Civil Servant (though only on the temporary staff), and as the Urutawa section was too small for him, he wished to get twelve months’ extension in order to disnose of it —Application granted. The Board then adjourned into committee.