SMALL GRAZING RUNS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2320, 13 October 1908, Page 1

SMALL GRAZING RUNS.

renewal of leases.

RECONSIDERED BY THE LAND BOARD.

THE PRESS EXCLUDED

Tins last item on the business papor at tlio sitting of the Hawlco’s Bay Land Board yesterday was the reconsideration of the question of renewing the leases of tlio small grazing runs, of winch tlio original leases have expired and li ivo been recommended for subdivision. When tlio question was mentioned; the Commissioner (Mr Henry Trout) stated that the matter would be taken in committee and tlio result communicated to tlio Press in accordance with a resolution already carried. . Mr Lane: I wish, Sir, to take exception to your ruling. This Board has no power to oxcludo the Press or the public, and lias no power to convoy tlio results of its decision. Section 43, Claus© 4 of tho Land Act states that only when the Board wishes to deliberate upon questions can strangers be asked to withdraw. Mr Lane proceeded to read the eec.tioui. Tlio Commissioner : Well, .Mr Lane, that, exactly cqyers tlio position. Tho Board is going to deliberate upon tho question. Mr Lane: Well, Sir, if tho reporters are asked to withdraw I will withdraw also. You told mo distinctly that you had instructions from the Government to keop this question private, and to keep the documents private —. . Tho Commissioner: I said nothing of the kind. . . , Mr Lane: I say distinctly that you said so. I think the Government is unwise in its action. I am not a Government nominee on this _Board, and. your action in withholding tho correspondence from members of the Board on instructions from the Government is a great impeachment on tho Lands Department. The Commissioner : I have the power to withhold the correspondence if I think lit. Mr Lane: Do you mean to say the Commissioner can withhold correspondence from a Land Board?, If that is so then this Board would not transact any business. Most of tho business comes before us in tlie shape of correspondence. The Commissioner: The Board has already dealt with the correspondence in reference to this matter: Mr Lane: The Board made an order in regard to Mr Black’s grazing run. Tho matter was discussed, and now, as a member of tile Board, I ask to see the correspondence and. am refused . I say that the resolution that this question be dismissed in committee is out of order, -and the Board has absolutely no power to discuss the question with the door closed. The Commissioner: The position is this, Mr. Lane. Mr. Bartram, who moved the resolution, was 'asked by some of the lessees that the matter bo discussed in committee, as . the position would disclose tho private, affairs of the people concerned, and it would not be desirable to make everything public. Mr; Lane ( referring to tho reporters) : I think we can trust those gen T tlemOn to 1 use their discretion. They liavo always done 60. Tho resolution is but a deliberate attempt to gag me, and to gag the Press. ■ It is scandalous and cowardly. If it is not scandalous and cowardly and if you are not attempting to gag the Press let- the correspondence be produced. I understand Mr Black, with Mr de Laiitpur, his counsel, desires to he present, and surely the Board will not come to a, decision without hearing what Mr Black has to say. The Commissioner: In any case I 'won’t go very far into the matter to-day. I have not all the correspondence here: it is in Napier. I don’t think Mr Black or his counsel can be heard as there is no application before the Board. Mr Black has been heard on two occasions.

Mr'Lane: And now you want to decide the matter with the door shut. I take exception to tho proceedings. Has the Board come to any decision •at a.ll on this grazing run question? The Commissiv»--er: Resolutions were passed and were sent forward as is always done. Mr Lane: Excuse me, Sir. It is .not always done, and I have copies of correspondence to show it is not always done. The correspondence shows that tho Board did not come to any decision; hut merely forwarded a recommendation. The Commissioner: Quite so. . Mr Lane: Then the _ Board proposes to come to a decision and pass a resolution? The Commissioner: The Board has been asked to reconsider the 'recommendations. . Mr Lane: In committee without hearing anything from Mr Black or his counsel, and without the presence of tho reporters? The Commissioner: Yes. .Mr Lane: Well, I will take no part in such a proceeding, and I will withdraw from the Board. The Commissioner, to Mr Lane: Very well, you can -do so. Mr Lane: I would '.ask that the whole .of the correspondence on this question be produced. The Commissioner: You will be able to see the correspondence in due course. Mr Lane: I ask for tho correspondence because one of the Ministers said the Board made a jumble of the affair, and I wish documentary proof. The reporters then withdrew, and Mr Lane also left the Board as a protest. At half-past two tile Board resumed in open meeting. Sir Lane was present and the reporters were algo admitted. -. The Commissioner reported that; in reference to run 43, leased hy Mr R. G. Black, on the motion of Mr Bartram,. seconded by Mr Hyde, it was decided to rescind the resolution pissed on August 14th, and to recommend that an area of about 900 acres more or less be cut out as a small grazing run, and a lease thereover be- offered to Mr Black, the balance to be subdivided into areas oi from 500 to 800' acres (more or less), the best practicable boundaries to be determined by survey, and to be offered for selection under the optional system, as being in general 'accordance with the original 'resolution of the Board on December 13th 1907. and it bo a recommendation that about 25 acres situated on the southwestern corner of tli'e run be withheld as required for future disposal; that provision bo made for stock resting and a site reserved for workmens’ homes. ■ ■ _ In 'reference to run 45, leased by Mr. J. A. Caesar, it was decided that the Board adhere • to its resolution pissed on August 14th which reads: ‘‘That it is decided to modify the previous ■resolution herein, and recommend the course of action recommended by Mr Bartram by _ which means tho acquisition of the adjoining

freehold will ho obviated. The recommendation is "that tho iruii bo. out in two, tho nortli-oastorn portion ot about 900 acros to bo offered for, selection on the optional systom, and a lease of tho balance to be offered to Mr. Caesar.” , , Mr La no asked if the resolutions did not require confirmation in open Board. . , , , Tlio Commissioner: I don t think so. I am reporting what has been done. Mr Bartram moved that tho resolution bo confirmed. ' , Mr Lano: I raise an objection. The Board has already come to a decision that tho whole of Mr Black’s run bo returned to him, and- anything contrary to tlr.it is illegal. In Mr Caesar’s caso it is morely a confirmation of a previous decision, and I liavo nothing further to say. Mr Hyde: .1 second Mr Bartram’s motion. ■

Mr Lane: I would like my objection recorded in the minutes. Tho Commissioner: It will bo, Mr Lane. Mr Bartr.iill’s motion 1 was carried and tho Board adjourned. Mr Blaelc was,then Called into the room, and the result communicated to him.