NEW ZEALAND NEWS

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 96, 23 December 1914, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND NEWS

A CANDID"aPPLIOA||L\

DIVERSION AT AUCKLAND LAND

BOARD MEETING

AUCKLAND, Dee. 22. An applicant who came before the Auckland Land Board to-day created a little diverion on that usually staid and solemn body. The applicant, a verdant young man, desired tlic Board s permission to take over two blocks of land of 194 acres and 221 acres respectively from the present holders.

The Commissioner (Mr. H. M. Skeet): What do you want the land for?

Applicant: Well, I intend to improva it and then sell it. Members (smilingly): Oh! Applicant: Well, I am giving you full information.

The Commissioner': Quite right. We appreciate having a truthful man before us. Are you going on the land? Applicant; I thought that a man I have could fulfil the residence clause for me.

The Commissioner: No, you would then have to do double improvements and make a declaration that your income does not exceed £350 per annum. Applicant (somewhat amused): I am sure that my income is not as much as i that! f The Clerk: His and his wife's income combined. Applicant (more amused); I haven’t a wife, so that does not affect me. If I had a wife I might settle on the land. Mr. A. E. Harris: Then whai about on adjournment? You might find a wife in the meantime. (Laughter.) Mr. W. Johns: I am afraid it sounds like a case of pure speculation. The Commissioner: And when you sell, Avhat will become of your improvements? Applicant: I suppose the man who buys will have to pay me for them. The Commissioner: At a profit? Applicant: Well, I want interest on. my money. The Commissioner: This is the most peculiar case that has come before the Board. Applicant: Well, would it do if I got the lots in the name of the man who is to work them? The Commissioner: You will have to withdraw this application now before us and make a separate application. This course was agreed to by the applicant, but when about to leave the room he returned to say the he could not withdraw as he had agreed to take the two lots subject to the approval of the Board. The Commissioner: Then wo will refuse the applies i’on. This done, the applicant left the \ room with a gleeful assurance that he' J would submit a fresh application, CASEIN MANUFACTURE. PATENT RIGHTS QUESTIONED. HAMILTON, Dec. 23. For some time past Mr Young, member for Waikato, has been corresponding with the Premier respecting the power of the New Zealand Casein Board to control the process for souring milk, for purposes other than the manufacture of casein, which might be in use by butter and cheese manufacturers within the Dominion at the present time. The reply was, that as regards the patent taken out by the New Zealand Casein Board for the process of souring milk in connection with the manufacture of casein, the Department went into the matter at the time the patent was applied for. It recognised that the process had been employed for a considerable time with butter and cheese making; and I am informed that the legal position is that patentees’ rights cannot be enforced if it can b eproved that the patented process was known and used either in New Zealand or elsewhere before the granting of the patent. •

THE SAWMILLING INDUSTRY

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER

WELLINGTON, Dee. 22.

The plight of the sawrailling industry in New Zealand through the slump caused by the war was placed before the Premier to-day by a large deputation of leading sawmillers. The deputation asked for some relief from the State, in the shape of moratorium protection and a remission of rentals.

Mr. Massey expressed sympathy with the sawmillers. He pointed out that the moratorium did not at present apply to sawmilling, indicating where timber was cut from private or native laud. What course would be taken would depend on the House, and when the House would meet he could not at present say. In eases where timber was being cut from Crown land that was a matter of administration, and he was quite prepared to make a recommendation to his colleagues on thatpoint.