LAND BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 55, 21 March 1900, Page 2

LAND BOARD.

The Land Board met on Monday, Present: Messrs. Kelly, Stock, Heslop, ' and Coutts. Owing to the absende in Wellington of the Commissioner (Mr. Strauchon) Mr. Kelly presided. Consent was given to the following transfers:—J. Moles to W. Moles, section 3, block 4, Omona; J. McCracken to J. K. Bowers, lot 2, section 3, block 11, Pouatu. The application of transfer by John .Tudd was deferred. Mesdames Dawes and Granthan submitted sketch of proposed subdivision of section 45, block 11, Ngaire, which they proposed to transfer to B. Dawes and D. Granthan respectively. Subject to consent of the Commissioner the application was agreed to. Permission was given to A. Hunter to sublet sections 6, block 5, Kapara, to Jas Hunter for 9 years from Ist February last. The following applications to capitalise and acquire freeholds were granted: —J. Everett sections 12, block 14, Waitara; A. S. Wickstead sections 26 and 29, block 10 Huiroa; and A. E. Bur well, section 54, block 1, Hijiroa. A. Prestney's application for freehold of section 3, block 4, Huiroa, was also complied with. j Section 2, block 15, Ngatimaru, isj to be offered to J. Diggins and Mr, ' Kelly in separate portions, the boundary being the Brewer Road, at 20s per acre.

After reading a communication from ths Wellington Commissioner as to R. Aitchinson's holding in that district, in addition to section 8, block 16, Huiroa, the Board decided that'the transfer to Mr; Aitchinson of the latter section was void.

The Ranger reported on 68 sections comprising 13,270 acres. The require-, merits for improvements were £4052 but the amount expended was .£5858. The residence requirements were 27, but 6 had not complied—two being excused. On the other hand there were 14 residents when not required by the Act. Those in default are to be notified. Three months extension of time for building on section 41, block 11, Ngaire, was g> anted to C, Jupaslin.

Six months leave of absence from sections 7 and 8 Ngaire was granted to J. Best to enable him to visit England. After reading the Ranger's report on section 264, Patea district, block 13, Hawera S.D. in regard to area of land it was decided that the section be offered to the adjoining occupiers, Mrs. Muir and Mr. Death at the upset price of .£620. The following proposals for the expenditute of thirds and fourths were approved : Manganui Road Board, £334 2s 9d ; Hawera County Council £459 17s 3d; (subject in both cases to the payment of hypothicated thirds j in terms of the Board's former resolution) ; Parihaka Road Board £SB 12s 3d.

E. Hohneck's application for section 83, block 10, Pouatu, forfeited by G. T. Baker, was agreed to, possession to bo given on Mr. Baker quitting and on payment of necessary deposits. The Surveyor General wrote advising that the expense of obtaining a decision of the Supreme Court as to terms of leases of Improved Settlements could not be authorised but that the terms should be in accord with the Solicitor General's opinion. The Board have requested the Surveyor General to furnish them with a copy of the opinion. The Board being the authority to make leases and not having approved of the present form of base, cannot see its way at present to make any transfer of such leases or to issue any new lease. ■ Consent was given to the transfer by G. A. Hurley to Messrs. Williscroft and Limbrick of sections, 6 and 7, [block 5, Kaupokonui; subject to all I papers being in order. The Board rose.