Hikutaia Kauri Troubles.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4724, 27 February 1884, Page 2

Hikutaia Kauri Troubles.

Our readers will recollect that about a year ago Mr Blair, the representative of a Melbourne timber firm, purchased some thousands of kauri trees through the Warden on what was supposed to.be land within the goldfields, The revenue thus accrued was handed over to the County Council, which thereby was benefited to the extent of between £4000 and £5000. Matters so far went on smoothly, and Mr Blair subsequently let a contract to Mr Fagan, the well known bush contractor, for felling 50,000,000 feet of timber. Mr Blair then applied to the County Council for permission to place protecting piles in front of the Hikutaia bridge, Mr Fagan to erect dams, and make all the necessary provisions for carrying out his contract. Meanwhile, these large sales of timber on goldfields were brought under the notice of the Auckland Waste Lands Board, some of the member of which are said to bo interested in the Melbourne trade, and therefore would not afford Mr Blair cordial aid to carry on the business which he, having largely invested funds to develop our district, had a right to expect; on the contrary, we are informed that every obstacle has been placed in bis way. The Union Sash and Door Company of Auckland next appear on the scene, and after weeks of surveying and inspecting, finally took possession of Mr Blair's trees, under one of the peculiar timber leases which they hold, and which have so fre- j quently been brought under tae notice of j

the Legislative Assembly by tho -'grand old man." - The representatives of the litigants proceeded to Auckland by the Enterprise last evening for further instructions, which we'presume will be ■taken:through fcha Supreme Court.