WESTLAND WASTE LANDS BOARD.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1079, 12 January 1872, Page 3

WESTLAND WASTE LANDS BOARD.

MR LAHMAN AND THE AIMERS. '' [west coast times.] At a meeting of the Westland Waste Lands Board, held at Hokitika on Tuesday last, Mr Lahman applied to purchase twenty acres of rural land in Block 71, Grey district. Mr Learmonth opposed the application on behalf of i Patrick Kearris, who had also applied for the Bame land, and made some strong comments on the action taken by Mr Lahman, in availing himself of his seat at the Board to endeavor to obtain an advantage over Kearns. Mr Lahman said that Kearns was not worthy of any consideration, as he had endeavored to bribe him (Mr Lahman) that very morning. On pretence of wishing Mr Lahman "a Happy New Year," Kearns had thrust a roll of notes into his hand. Mr Hoos pointed out to Mr Lahman that if he had anything to remark in respect to his application he should retire from his seat at the Board, and support his application in the ordinary way. The Chief Commissioner would refuse to hear Mr Lahman, except in the ordinary • way— at the other side of the counter. Mr Lahman then retired from his seat and made his application. He said his object in applying for the land was merely, in his position of County Chairman, to the interests of the miners. He intended, if he obtained the land, to leave it to the use of the miners. fne Chief Commissioner said that if such really were the fact—and he had no doubt of it-i-the application of Mr Lahman was an endeavor on his part to defeat the decision of the Board. The Board had already decided to grant the application of Kearns, and Mr Lahman had availed himself of his position on the Board to put in his application ahead of that of Kearns. The, fact was that Kearns bad applied, and in consequence of that application, the land had been ordered to be thrown' open for sale. No application could, however, be made until the land was gatttted, and that was only done on the 20th of December, and on that iday Mr Learmonth put in an application for Kearns. Mr Lahman's application was made on the 19th of December, a day prior to the publication of the Gazette. It would be a very dangerous precedent if members of the Board were to be permitted to avail themselves of their knowledge; as to land which was to be gazetted. Mr Lahman's object was a good one in the present instance, but the knowledge obtained by a member of the Board might be unfairly used as towards the public. He should move—" That the application of ,Mr Lahman cannot be entertained." Mr Hoos seconded the motion, .which was carried item. cth\. John Wright, miner, applied; for 60 acres of land in the same block. This application had also been entered on the Iwh of 'December, and the Board decided that it could not be entertained. Mr Lahmait, who was somewhat excited, told Wright to inform his mates "that there was nothing for them to do here, and they had better clear out." Wrighfy °n retiring,, angrily exclaimed that "there would be lots of news in the papers." Patrick Kearns applied, by his agent, Mr Learmonth, to purchase 20 acres of land in Block 71, Grey distriot <"■ , ' ; This was the same land that Mr Lahman had applied for, and Mr Hoos suggested that it would be advisable that the application should be postponed until the next sitting of the Board, and that in the meanwhile the Chief; Surveyor should make careful inquiry into the question as to whether the land is auriferous. The Chief Surveyor said that he had already gone over the ground. ■ 'He "had followed the races, and could not find the slightest indication of any auriferous ground. There were no miners in the vicinity, and it is not at all likely that there would ever be any. If, however, Wright would show a prospect, that would be decisive, but he refused tb do so. It was possible that gold might be found on the terrace, and in view of that possibility five chains had been reserved from the foot of the terrace. ' Mr Lahman said that if the ground were not proved auriferous, he should not have the slightest objection to Kearns having the first right to purchase. The Chief Commissioner said he had no doubt whatever but that the opposition to Kear us having {the, land was a matter of feeling amongst the miners who had had to pay him compensation before. Kearns said that he was sure that if he applied for land on the top of Mount vook would be opposed by the miners. Board finally determined to adJ'ou^rn the application until the next ittylg of the Board, when it will be fyudty settled. Messrs Kilgour and Perotti applied to haye eight ten-acre lots of suburban land put up to auction, in Block &I, near Vlreymouth. Granted ; 140 paid. JHamiltpp applied for a pasturage Kpnce for a run.of $J0 acres, jnear Marspen, granted, LlO rent paid. Mary Flower applied, through her agent, Mr Learmouth, to purchase section 271 (unoccupied), in the town oi Grevmonth. Granted, Ll2 paid. The Board directed that the souther? boundary of Block No. 1, Grey district, be extfojded -one mile and a-half, ,• • : ■, 7