LAND BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 201, 22 February 1912, Page 7

LAND BOARD.

MEETING CONCLUDED. The Taranaki Land Board resumed its monthly meeting yesterday morning, tha Commissioner (Mr. Bullard) presiding. Ranger Meredith's report oh section 24, block 11, Mapara, was adopted, and the Board decided to offer the land for selection under part 3 of the Laud Act, 1008. The section will be weighted with the value of improvements and the cost of sowing felled area. J. Coombridge wrote appealing again6t the forfeiture of section 5, block 11, Mapara, and denying that he had set fire to the bush contrary to the instructions of the ranger. It was resolved to inform- Coombridge that his conduct in the present instance would be overlooked, but that "the Board had power to prevent the burning: of bush at an improper time contrary to the ranger's instructions, and that if such an offence is committed again by him or others in the settlement their interests will be liable to forfeiture." CONCERNING THIRDS.

The Under-Secretary for Lands advised that thirds or fourths may be expended in «recting a bridge over a stream adjoining the road leading to a section, such- bridge being the only means of access to the said section situated on the other side of the stream from the road.

The application of the Ohura County Council to have thirds from section 18, block 9, Ohura, expended on the erection of a bridge was again considered, and final consideration deferred in order to enable the Board to visit the locality. The application of the Whangamomona County Council to have £3B 13s 5d of accrued thirds from sections on Makahu road expended in the re-instatement of a bridge was approved, subject to the ranger's report. The following local bodies submitted proposals for the expenditure of thirds, which were approved, subject to the rangers' reports:—Egmont County Council, £2 lis 4d; Tataraimaka Road Board. £25 5s 7d; Oakura Road Board, £26 17s Od.

Acting on the report of Ranger E. Tolnie, the Board derided to approve the Wftitomo County Council's proposals for the expenditure of £l3B 9s, ac«rued thirds.

L. R. Whitaker renewed his application for thirds from section 2, block 9, Aria, for expenditure on the PuraPanirau road, but was again refused. VARIOUS MATTERS. Mrs. J. K. Pederson waited on the Board and applied for a re-hearing of her application for section 79, block 4, Paritutu, a>s an addition to her holding.— The matter was referred to the Commissioner with power to act. Ranger 11. T. Twiss reported on the inspection of 24 holdings, stating that the improvements required to be carried out totalled £8220. Those actually effected, however, amounted to £19,502. Four of the selectors had not complied with the conditions of residence.—The Board decided to call up those in default to explain why they had not cmplied with the conditions.

Ranger E. Tolme reported on the inspection of 25 holdings. The improvements required were £1424, while those actually effected aggregated £10,134. Two of the selectors had failed to effect the necessary improvements, while a third had not resided on his land.—Considering the report, the Board decided to ask H. Webley to show cause why his interest should not be forfeited for nonimprovement.

6. J. C. Bayly's application to convert the tenure of section 3, block 4, into freehold was agreed to. ■ The Tangitu Settlers' Association wrote drawing attention to the presence of an undue proportion of Yorkshire fog and ox-eye daisy in the grass seed supplied to the settlement last year.— Members resolved to request the Land Department to make the supervision of future supplies of seed more effective. It was decided to recommend the Minister of Lauds to dispose of section 31. block 11, Mapara, to the Mokauiti Dairy Company.

After consideration it was decided to defer for the present the question of the disposal of section 5, block 13, Waro, bv reservation.

EDUCATION RESERVES. Transactions in Education reserves were approved as follow bv the Board:— Transfers.—Anna Dons to J. Savage, section 30. block 2, Omona; J. T. Hawthorn to J. McKenzie, section 3, block S, Waitara; N. C. Young to P. T. Donnelly, sections 540 and 545, Patea district. Snb-.leases.-J. R. Parkinson to G. E. Ireland, section 110, block 2, Ngaere; Henry Law to C. A. Duff, section OS, block 12, Mangimingi sub-division. The Commissioner submitted a schedule of education reserves unlet, and it was resolved that the ranger's report on the following be obtained: Section 1, block 0, Mahoe; section 9, block 8, Opaku; section G, block 10, Upper Waitara. Consideration of the remaining sections in the town 'of New Plymouth' was deferred till next meeting. Ranger Twiss' report on the improvements on section 1288, New Plymouth, was adopted, and it was decided to offer the lease to the outgoing lessee. Mr. Twiss also reported that sections 5, (5, 9, and 10, block 27, Pa ton town. had been abandoned by W. Parker.—Left in the hands of the Commissioner. The Commissioner tabled a schedule of renewable leases expiring on March 31st, 101.'). and it was resolved to recommend to the lessees that Mr. H. T. Twiss (Crown lands ranger) be appointed sole arbitrator in the valuations required to be made in terms of the leases. The Board then went into committee, and its sittings were subsequently coneluded.