LAND BOARD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 2038, 10 July 1885, Page 2

LAND BOARD.

(Evening Press,) TIIO fortnightly meeting of the Land Board was held yesterday morning. Present —Messrs J, W. A, Marchant, (chairman), H, Bunny, W. A, Fitzhorbert, T. Mason. The schedule of lands Bold on leaso and deferred payment pince last meeting was kid on th# table. It showed a total of 332 acres 1 rood 16 perches applied for at an upset price of £425 2s 2d, and payments on account amounting to £l4 26s Bd. Thero were but two applicants. It was resolved to issue a new license to occupy section 8, Block IV., Belmont, in place of onedeclared toliave been lost.

The holder of section 102, Block 11., Kopuaranga, waß granted permission to transfer his section. ' '

The Board considered an application from Mem McTavish andTafcumtobe permitted to take a road through section 13, Reserve, Wellington. It was resolved to inform them that the Board had no power to deal with the matter. Tho owner of Section 119, Block XIV, Mangaone, wrote asking for a rebate of six months'rent, on the ground that owing to tho season of the year at which lie had purchased the section, he was prevented from reaping any benefit from it for that period. The Board did not consider they had any power to grant the applicant's request. The person who held Section 10, Block IV,, Makuri, under the deferred payment system, transferred it on the lOthFebruary 1885, to another person. On 6th June he applied for and paid a deposit on Section 23, Block VII,, Mangaone, which is also under the deferred payment system. This appears to render him subject to the penalty provided for in clause 62 of the Land Act of 1877, and the Lands Board Inquiry Act of 1882. It was resolved to ask him' for a full explanation. Some discussion then ensued on the provisions of the Act in a case of this kind, and finally Mr Bunny moved, and Mr Mason seconded, that the attention of the Government be drawn to the 'restrictions of the Act of 1877, Sections 60 and 62 to re-selection under the Deferred Payment system in cases where a solector libb assigned his interest, and they recommend' that provisions be made in the Land Bill now before Parliament toenable selections to be made by persons who have thus assigned their interests, subject to the approval of the

Land Board in every case. The resolution was carried.

The Chairman produced a report and plans of thr Crown Lands on the sea coast between Waitotara and Manawatu. The Boardresolved to inform the Government that it ia worthy of consideration whether something should not be done in the way of planting the drifting sands along the coast, and that, if funds cannot be provided for the purpose, the Board is of' opinion that'.the lands should be •leased "as runs.

An application was received from the lessee of Section 11, Block V., Kopuaranga, asking for a reduction of rent. The Board informed the applicant that they had no power to grant the request, The lessees of SectionsG and 25, Blocks lL andni., Mangaone, applied for permission to be allowed to abandon these sections and make a fresh selection, on the ground that the present holding comprises spurs, deep gullies, and inferior land. The Board had no power to deal with the matter. The Alfredton Road Board forwarded a plan showing a portion of the Tawataia Road proposed to be felled and cleared, at the cost of £BO, from the Deferred Payment Thirds, the balance available to be expended in metalling the EketahunaAlfredton Road. The Board approved of the expenditure of the Deferred Payment Thirds from blocks VII, and X, and XI., Mangaone, in the manner proposed. The Board then adjourned.