HAWKE’S BAY LAND BOARD

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2320, 13 October 1908, Page 2

HAWKE’S BAY LAND BOARD

ADJOURNED AIEETING

The Hawke’s Bay Land Board held an adjourned meeting from Napier at the local Land Office yesterday. Thoro were present the Commissioner (Air. H. Trent), Alessrs T. Hyde, 0. E. Bartram, and E. Lane. Air AV. Turner applied for permission 'to acquire the freehold of his sections 14 and 22 Block 2, Alotu. Tho Crown Lands Ranger reported that tlio unimproved value of the. land was £2 12s 6d per 'aero, and the total value £853.

The application was granted. In reference to tho applications for timber-cutting rights over Section 26, Block 10, liangaroa. Forest Reserve. Tho Lain! Officer -wrote stating that ho h id inspected the section and suggested that it be leased by tender or auction. There were a number of permits already issued over the section. The Commissioner said that a license to cut timber could be granted to Air Small, though lie thought it was only right that, tho block should bo lot by tender, so as to give all a chance to cut timber on the reserve. The Land Officer's recommendation that tenders be called was adopted.

RANGER’S REPORT. The Crown Lands Ranger (Air Robertson) reported that Air F. A. Hansen, lessee of section 2,- block 3 Alotu, had not complied with tho residential clause of the lease.

It was decided to inform tlio lessee that- he must, comply with tho residential conditions.

Tlio Crown Lands Ranger also reported that Air. P. AI. Hansen had not complied with tho residential clauses of his lease of Section 16, Alotu; but a habitable house had been erected, and tho land was being properly . worked, although the tenant was living at the storo a mile and a half away. Air Lane said that the distance was very short, and the conditions were practically' being agreed with. It was impossible to strictly fill all the conditions. The Ranger said the land was being improved. Tile Board decided not to strictly enforce the residential conditions.

Tho Ranger reported that access to the small grazing runs No. 89 to 91, Block 15, Aloanu I was almost complete, and tlie leases. could be prepared for tlie land to be opened in December. Tho term would be for 21 y'ears with right of; renewal. Air. Brodrick said he thought the sections would need a revaluation. Air Lane said the area was 4000 acres and it was advisable to look 21 years ahead and seo if the blocks were not too largo to giro a right of renewal. Ho had been told that the right of renewal could be questioned under the Land Act, 1908. (The Commissioner said that before the expiration of the leaso the Government might require the land for other purposes. He suggested that the Board visit tho country’and form an opinion on the value of the land. The country was busli land. Air. Brodrick said the block was only about 12 miles from the surveyed line of railway. Mr Lane said he did not object to tho 4000 acre area, hut wanted to remind the Board that tho tenant would also havo to look ahead. Ho wanted t 0 see tho land thrown open in tho 4000 aero blocks with right of renewal, arid merely raised the question because it had a bearing upon the leases of . 1885, when tenants were in a similar position. The Board recommended a right of renewal in these leases, but refused to recommend renewals to leases granted in 1885.

It whs decided to throw the land open for settlement. The Ranger reported that the dray road had been formed to small grazing run 93, AVaiingaromia S.D., and recommended that tlio land bo thrown open for selection as early as possible. The area of .the land is 2240 acres.

Air Bartram usked if the land could not be cut into tw 0 sections. The area was rather excessive for tlie quality of the land. Air. Brodrick said the nature of the country was against any’ subdivision.

In answer to a question Air Brodrick said the valuation was 5 per ceiit on £2 5s per acre. Air Bartram thought the valuation too high. He moved that the rental bo 21 per cent per annum on the capital valuation. Air. Lane seconded the motion, which was carried. APPLICATIONS. Dav.id Howell applied for a lease of section 3, Block 15, Hangaroa. Tho application was granted. TRANSFERS.

Air P. Horsfall applied for a transfer to AV. Maxwell (Air Bright) or Section 7, Block 6, Alotu subdivision. The Commissioner said there was a dispute over the area of the land and Mr Bright promised to have the area correctly’ ascertained. - The application was approved. A transfer of Section 7 and S AYaimata S.D. was granted from S. Roe to J. T. Herbert, and a sub-lease of 9 acres 26 perches, Block 15, Alotu, from J. J. Langer to A. Ilalkett was also granted. to THIRDS AND FOURTHS. A payment of £415 17s 8d to the Cook County Council was passed subject to examination. The Board then went into committee to consider the renewal of the leases of small grazing runs,