WASTE LANDS BOARD.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 340, 21 March 1874, Page 3

WASTE LANDS BOARD.

The usual weekly meeting was held on Thursday, the Chief Commissioner in the chair. The members present were — Messrs: Reid, Clark, Butterworth, Strode, and Bastings. WAITAHT7JTA. Mr. H. Bruce applied for a license to raise coal or lignite on the west branch of the Waitahuna River. — The matter was referred to the District Land Officer for his advice. G-. P. C. Browne's objections to the above license being issued to M\\ Bruce were noted. » OLBWKENIoa DISTRICT. Captain Mackenzie applied to purchase section 81, block 111., Glenkenich district. The application was granted. TAPANTTI. Messrs. Connell and Moodie, on behalf of Mr. Rodgers, asked the Board to carry out its decision of January Bth, 1874— t0 put up for eale 30 acres of land at Tapanui, with a valuation for Mr. Rodgers' improvements on 10 acres of the land. Mr. Connell stated that this had been agreed to. but without notice to Mr. Rodgers the arrangement was upset, and he was asked to take 10 acres. The Chief Commissioner said that this involved the alienation of 20 acres of the best bush in the district, worth £4 per acre, besides shutting up the entrance to the back bush there. It was decided that the land should be reBurveyed by Government officer at the Government expense. LEGAL OPINION. The following is Mr. B. C. Haggitt's opinion as to the amount of purchase-money to be paid by holders of agricultural leases, held under the Goldfields Act, when ex-" changed for leases under clause 62 of the Otago Waste Lands Act, 1872: — "lean, of course raise no objection to the Waste Lands Board submitting a case for the opinion of his Honor the Judge, if they consider it . necessary, but it seems to me that the point to be submitted is so clear that it is needless to trouble his Honor on the subject. The evident intention of the Legislature was to place agricultural lessees under the Goldfields Act who had held their leases for three years, and had observed the conditions of their leases as to improvements, and had paid their rent, in the same position as licenses under the Waste Ljuids Act of 1872. If this is so, ten instalments of 2s. 6d. an acre would amount to 255.; of these, three would be paid in the three years, leaving 17s. 6d. to pay during the remaining seven years. Each year's rent is only one instalment, although made in two payments, the payment of the half-year's rent being only part payment of an instalment. This is quite clear on reference to sub-section 5 of section 51, which treats of the instalments as a yearly rent payable in equal parts half-yearly in advance. I concur entirely in Mr. Barton's opinion, except that, instead of saying 17s. 6d. iv 14 instalments, extending over seven years, 1 think it would be more correct to say 17s. 6d. "in seven instalments extending over seven years, eacfb instalment being payable -in equal parts half-yearly .in advance." — It was decided that Mr. Haggitt's opinion should be acted upon. SAW MILIi LICENSES. Messrs. Connell and Moodie, for Messrs. J. and W. T. M'Farlane, applied to be allowed to pay the balance of the yearly license fee on Mr. William MTarlane's saw mill license, block IV. The application was granted, the license to remain in full force. * . Messss. Connell and Moodie, on behalf of Mr. W. M'Farlane, applied for a saw mill license in block 11., Glenkenich district, and for 160 acres under the new regulations. > The application was refused, the Chief Commissioner stating that ,a frontage of a mile, half a mile, or quarter of a mile would be granted under the new regulations if applied for. • The Board then considered the question of inserting a proviso in saw mill licenses for the supply of timber to settlers at certain rates. It was decided that firewood and fencing timber should be mentioued in the licenses, Mr. Bastings : How abont railway sleepers Tho Chief Commissioner thought that competition would always secure a supply of theEe. -