DEPUTATION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 259, 16 January 1873, Page 5

DEPUTATION.

On the Bth, Messrs Brunton and Charles Hammond, who had been deputed at a meeting held at Blueskin to wait on his Honor the Superintendent, had an interview with him at 11.30 a.m. They were introduced by Mr J. Green, M.P.C. Mr Bbunton stated that the object of the deputation was to lay before his Honor that 1000 acres of land reset ved for recreation purposes for the people of Waikouaiti had been set apart by the Waste Land for pasturage ot sheep. His Honor : Is it the land adjoining Jones's farm ? Mr Brunton said it was about four miles from Cherry Farm. In consequence of the action of the Waste Land Board the settlers received no benefit from the reserve. The deputation asked that it might be vested in trustees, or that some arrangement should be made by which the original purpose of the reserve might be fulfilled. Mr Hammond said that the wish of the district was that the land should remain open as a run, and they would be g ad to have the 1 tnd invested in trustees. His Honor said that the Waikouaiti people had spoken to him about that reserve, and told him it was no use to them, although they seemed to think they had a claim upon it. Mr Brunton said the object of the reserve was commonage, although it cmild not have been reserved on that plea He himself was the chief mover in obtaining it ; but the Waste Land Board had diverted it from the real purpose intended when it was granted. Mr Hammmond sail he thought there was some misunderstanding with regard to Waiknuaiti. The Waikouaiti township was Hawkesbury ; but the reserve of 1,000 acres was in the middle of his run, and unless it was placed under the control of trustees, it was likely to lead to great inuouvenience. It was certain th it the action of the Waste ' and Board was beyond their powers. The reserve was occupied by one individual whose sheep had no right there. He considered ,it very hard that one man should occupy 1,0)0 acres to the detriment of all his neighbors. The original intention of Mr Mills, when he set it apart, was likely to be frustrated, and instead of a good to the Feighborhood, it was like l y to prove an injury. The Superintendent : The Provincial Council set apart 2 500 acres la t session under the impression that the 1,000 acres in question was unsuitable land He understood one was to be substituted for the other. Mr Hammond said the two were In separate districts. The Superintendent said he was in the middle of a long correspondence regarding the Crown grants of the reserves made, and could do nothing until he kne v the result. Mr Brunton said he knew positively that a Crown grant had been issued' for the reserve in question. His Honor said he was going to add it was very doubtful whether he should succeed in getting Crown grants of all tue land reserved. Mr Green explained that he did not think these 2,000 acres had anything to do with the present question. When Mr Mills set that area of 1.000 acre 3 aside, it was intended for commonage for the people, but as ' it could not be done for that object if stated it was made for recreation. The people in the neighborhood felt much aggrieved that it had been grauted for feeding sheep upon. After some further explanation and consideration of such an arrangement as would satisfy the inhabitants of the neighborhood, his Honor said, as the Crown grant had been issued by which power was given to him to deal with it, it was clear the Waste Land Board had no power to deal with it. He would put it under the Hanger. The legal way in dealing with reserves was to vest them in trustees by Ordinance that they might be let for periods not exceeding twenty-one year?. Mr Green said the settlers did not wish to have it let, but to use it as commonage, and pay the assessment on stock. His Ho^sor said he would take steps to give effect to their intention and the deputation thanked him and retired.