WASTE LAND BOARD.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 357, 20 May 1874, Page 3

WASTE LAND BOARD.

Thursday, May U. Present: The Com in'ssioner (Mr. Thomson), in the chair; and Measiy. B utter worth, Bastings, Clavlc, and Strode. Waiiiemo.— Mr. Conncll, on behalf of Mr. Luke, applied that he should be declared the purchaser of section 13, Waihemo. He explained that the land was a portion of 11,000 acres, which had been held under a pastoral lease by Sir Francis D. Bell, who had, by deed of covenant, placed it at the disposal of the Board so that it might be open to the public for application. Sir Francis Bell has since applied to exercise his pre-emptive right, which includes the section i applied for by Mr. Luke, on the land surrendeved by him under the covenant 'which he had executed. It was contended thai Sir Francis Bell had not now any right as a pastoral lessee, and if he wanted the land he would have to come forward as one of the public, and that, therefore, as Mr. Luke was the first applicant, he should be declared the purchaser.— Mr. G-. Cook, for Sir Francis Bell, said that the covenant provided that the land was to be sold according to law, and as the law provided that every pastoral tenant should have the opportunity" of exercising his pre-emptive rights, and as this had not yet been done, the land could not be sold. — Mr. Howorlh also stated that he was instructed by Mr. Walter Murray to apply to purchase section 42, Waiiiemo! He stated this land was also included in the land specified in the covenant mentioned in the last caso. Mr. Howorth conceived that the correct reading of the covenant was, that as certain rights were mentioned as being reserved by Sir Francis Bell, all those not specified were surrendered. — The Bo.ird resolved that a case should be stated for the opinion of the Supreme Court as to whether Sir Francis Bell was not at liberty to exercise his pre-emptive right over any portion of the land, also whether the land mentioned in the covenant is now open for sale, and whether the Board has power to refuse applications on it.

Deep Stream. — Mr. Gillies appeared to support the application of Mr. Thomas Murray to purchase 20 acres of land at Deep Stream. — The Chief Commissioner said that the land was a portion of one of the ProTincial Government reserves.— A discussion ensued between the Chief Commissioner and Mr. Gillies as to whether the application had been granted or not. — The application was refused, the land being reserved. Port Molyneux, — Mr. Connell, on behalf ©f Mr. George Hay, applied to pui'chase 29 V acres at Port Molyneux. — Mr. E. Cook opposed the application on behalf of Mr. Jewitt, who also applied for 24< acres of the same land. — It was resolved that Mr. Hay's application should take priority. Uun 324.— Mr. Gillies, on behalf of Messrs. Whifeo Brothers, applied for a pre-emptive right oa run. 32J,. — The application was simply noted, the run being included in a Hospital reserve. Table Hill. — James Pettygrew applied to purchase section 46, block IV., Table Hill, held under an agricultural lease. — Referred to the District Land Officer to ascertain whether the land was auriferous.and also whether there were any other objections. Fish-cueing. — Joseph Harding and Co. wrote, asking what facilities the Board would give them for a fish-curing establishment on the South-West CoasL of Otago. — The applicants were requested to make application for a specific piece of land, and to state their exact wants. Mataura. — Maps of the Mataura Bridge suburban sections were approved, and the upset price fixed at £5 per acre. An Opinion Wanted.— Mr. Connell, on behalf of Mr. James Logan, submitted to the Board, in accordance with a former minute, a case for the opinion of the Attorney-General. — Adjourned for a week. Seizure of Timber. — Ranger Valpy reported that the timber seized by him in Hampton bush had been removed by Mr. Murcott, and asked for instructions in the matter. — Resolved that, if sufficient evidence could be procured, the Ranger should prosecute the offender with the utmost rigour of the law. Timber Regulations. — Ranger Valpy requested alterations in timber regulations, in order to permit of the form of woodcutters' ai'ea3 being changed in special cases. — Resolved, that the regulations should be adhered to.

Waitahtjxa West. — James Cameron applied to purchase section 56, block VII., Waitahuna West. — Refused until conditions of lease are complied with. Approvals.— The plan submitted by Mr. Henry Campbell for a pre-emptive right on run 324 was approved, as was also that submitted by Mr. E.W. Humphry, on his run at Strath Taieri. A Refusal. — The application of Mr. F. Bassett, to purchase a small island of the Clutha, above the punt, was refused. Leaning Rock. — The Superintendent placed before the Board a letter from Messrs. Thompson and Irving, relative to the sale of the lease of section 117, block 11., Leaning Rock district, for which they had applied for a coal-mining lease. — Resolved that the Board should adhere to its former resolution. Run 325. — The opinion of the Provincial Solicitor was read, stating that he did not consider that Mr. William Fraser was entitled to a pre-emptive right of 80 acres on run 325 b, under the regulations of 1865. Mill Site.— Mr. Doughty, for Mi-. A. J. Smith, applied for an acre of land in the Maungatua District, for a mill site. — Granted. Oamabu Hospital.— The Board, in answer to a deputation from the Oamaru Hospital, said that it had no power to deal with the lauds mentioned by them. This concluded the business.

Mr. Gillies appeared at the Waste Land Board on Thursday on behalf of Mr. Thomas Murray, who applied to be declared the purchaser of 20 acres of land at the Deep Stream. The application was before the Board at the previous sitting, and was minuted received. Mr. Gillies yesterday urged that, as the deposit money had actually since been received by the Waste Land Department, his client was entitled to get the land. It however turned out that the money had been paid to Mr. M'Gowan, who has been in the habit of receiving the deposits in same instances. This was held not to bo a legal payment, the Chief Commissioner stating that the payments in all such cases should be made to Mr. Livingston, the Receiver of Land Revcwnie. ns ho n.lnna TnmA