H.B. LAND BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2165, 14 April 1908, Page 1

H.B. LAND BOARD.

SITTING AT GISBORNE. The sitting of tlio Huwko’s Bay Land Board, adjourned from Napier to Gisborne, was hold at the Crown Lands Office yesterday. Present :The Commissioner (Mr H-. Trent), Messrs Lane, Groome, Bertram, and li'ydo. Mr W. iS. Lunn, riianager of tho Gisborno Gasworks, represented by Mr. Coleman, applied for permission to tako in Mr S. Boland as a co-par-tner in section 1 block 10 O.R.P. Hangaroa. Mr Coleman said it was proposed that Mr Boland should como in as a partner without any payment, but as tho applicant was not a practical farmer, ho desired to liavo a man with practical experience on tho land. The Commissioner said tho lease had not boon in forco for two years ■and until that time had expired no change in tenancy could bo granted. Mr Coleman asked permission lor both names to bo entered in tho leaso, and tho alteration confirmed when tho time expired. Mr Lunn found it impossible to reside on the land and wished Mr Boland to represent him. Tho .Board said that at tho ond of the first year of the lease tho application could bo renewed, and in the meantime residence would not bo on- j forced. j

Mr P. Smith applied to transfer section 2 block 7 Nuhaka O.R.P. to Mr It. 13. Jefferson. The lease was granted in 1900.

The transfer was granted subject to tho approval of the Minister for Lands.

Mr G. Witters applied for permission to transfer section 43 block 1G Hangaroa L.I.P. to Mr W. L. Butler. Granted subject to tho approval of the Minister of Lands. Mr Nolan on behalf of Mr L. E. Cottrill, asked that the residential clauses of tho leaso of a section at Hantiru, as tho applicant was residing on and managing the adjoining station and could manage both properties from tho ono residonce. Tho Chairman said ho did not approvo of suspending the residential clauses without inquiry, and as tho Board would shortly bo visiting the district- ,tho matter would he looked into and an answer given at tho next meeting in Napier. Mr Nolan made a similar application on behalf of Mr T. C. Sherwood, who has a section O.R.P. in the Motu district.

Consideration of this application was also deferred until tho next meeting of the Board. Mr Bruce, lessee of a section at Waingaronwia, -asked permission to divide liis holding so as to give ono half to liis son Robert. The lease was obtained twenty years ago. Mr Lane asked if the holding was not liable to be cut up for closor settlement.

The Commissioner said that tho Board could grant a lessee power to subdivide among fills own family. The application was referred to tho Crown Lands Ranger to.report.

Mr J. W. Bright, on bohalf of a number of settlers on tho To Arai estate, asked what rebate the Beard proposed to allow for rent paid in advance before tho land became available. The leaseholders had been loaded for loading, but roads could not be formed until -after the winter and a great hardship had been indicted upon the poorer men. Tho Commissioner said ho had forwarded the letter, written by Mr.Bright-, some time ago in reference to tho matter, to the Under-Secretary for Lands, who had replied that a rebate could not be allowed and never had been allowed in such cases. Ho though, however, that if the request was pushed further, the holders might ■gain a concession by being allowed deferred payments. Mr Lane said the application was outside tho functions of the Board; it was entirely departmental business. . . . .. , The Commissioner said the omy way of -applying for a rebate was to’ petition the Minister for Lands. Mr Bright said he would again confer with the settlers before taking any action. RANGER’S REPORT,

Tlie Crown Land’s Ranger reported that .the Wigan estate was in a yory prosperous condition; but the residential clauses wero not being observed in some instances. One tenant who is a married woman, applied ifor 'six months’ leave of absence, ! aiid will get notice to reside -at once or forfeit. On making inquiries file found that her husband had purchased a large property in another part of the Dominion and tho wife is residing there. The Act had not been complied with by the woman either as regards .residence or improvements -He found that some tenants at Poparae clean their drains and some do not, many of tlie tenants ou the Ormond road allowing .drams and fences to get out of repair. He proposed to give them notice to clean out these drains or to -have the work dono at their (ten-ants) expense, and to compel them ,to have the fences repaired. The Waimarie Estate has very much improved since the flood had been over it, and the land was carrying and -bearing better crops. All the settlers appeared to be doing well, but in. most instances -are earnin'* their livings away -from the holdings. One or two settlers have taken more crons off the land than.the Act allowed, -and he proposed to give them notice of the fact.

TE ARAI LEASES. The following leases were approved of in connection with the disposal of tho To Arai settlement: —Section SA, block 12, Patntahi, 377 acres, H. Williamson. Tho Commissioner explained that this was tho section drawn by Miss. Livingstone who, being unable to make the necessary declaration, had withdrawn, and tho section had been balloted for by the two remaining applicants, Air. Williamson being successful. Section 18, block 5, Turanganui, 1 acre ,J. Morton; section 13, ditto, E. O. Stewart.

ROADING TE ARAL A deputation representing the settlers in the Te Arai .district waited upon the Board respecting the urgency of roading requirements through the settlement. —It was resolved on the motion of Mr. Bartmm, seconded by Mr. Lane, “That in view of the urgent requirements of the settlers on the To Arai settlement for the means of access to thoir holdings, this Board desires to bring under the notice- of the Department the desirability for prompt measures to placo the roads in such condition as to render them fit for conveyance of material to their several holdings.”