WASTE LAND BOARD.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 224, 16 May 1872, Page 6

WASTE LAND BOARD.

The usual weekly meeting of the Waste Land Board was held at noon on the 9th. There were present the Chief Commissioner (in the chair), and Messrs ileid, Duncan, and Huphes. Two communications were received from his Honor the Superintendent — the first suggesting that the Board should notify that it is prepared to grant coal leases at Preservation Inlet, and that the applications already granted should be held null aud void unless the lessees take immediate steps to fulfil the terms of the leases ; the second requesting that his consent to the leases already granted might be cancelled, with a view to provision being made for compelling the lessees to commence and carry on operations, or forfeit their leases. The Board directed the Commissioner to proceed on the terms of the first communication, dated May 2, 1872, one week's time being allowed to sign the leases, excepting to those parties whe may reside out of the Colony, who were to be allowed an extension of time, so as to enable them to be communicated with. The application of G. W. Goodger to purchase 30 acres of land near Cromwell was referred to the Warden for report. A plan of the Roman Catholic Cemetery at St Bathan's was submitted for approval, and approved of. A plan of application of Mr W. S. Douglas, for Otago Antimony Co., for a lease to mine for antimony near Hindon — rent and duration, of lease to be decided — was received, examined, and referred to the Warden for report. A request was received from Mr J. Chappie, agent for for G. N. M'Donald, that William Thomson might be restrained from raising and selling lignite adjoining his (M'Donald's) lease without the sanction of the Board. The request was complied with, and the Crown Commissioner instructed to take proceedings accordingly. The application of George Matheson to purchase section 34, block 5, Tuapeka, was complied with. The Hon. Dr Menzies appeared and put in a claim to run 375 great cattle instead of 225 on the Hundred at Makoreta. The Board requested the claim to be made in writing. Messrs Connell and Moodie applied for Martin and Co. for approval of sketch of proposed jetty license at Kaitangata. It was approved by the Board. Mr Brunton applied to have the first of the | deposit paid on application for section 11, block 9, Toitois district not taken up by cost of survey taken as deposit on an application for 50 acres adjoining section 2, block 5, which was agreed to. Mr F. Roberts, through Messrs Driver, Stewart, and Co., applied to purchase part of C inton township ; but the Board declined to comply with the request. With regard to the application of Mr Burns to purchase section 9, block 6, Otago Peninsula, it was resolved that the land should be put up for sale by auction at an upset price of 25s per acre. The Board then adjourned.

Acclimatisation. — A traveller from Queenstown to Arrowtown last week informs the Observer that, on coming along the Franktown road, he disturbed a covey of nine Calif ornian quaiL He has no doubt about them being quailj being well acquainted with the birds. Immigration.— The applications for nominated passages from Great Britain and Ireland, received through the Immigration Office during the month, are equal to 584 statute adults — 15 being from Ifingknd, 25 from Scotland, and 18J from Ireland. Of this number there are 11 single men and 33 single women, the remainder being families.