BLAKETOWN LEASES

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22318, 4 February 1938, Page 4

BLAKETOWN LEASES

NEW ARRANGEMENT MADE WITH LAND REGISTRAR

GREYMOUTH HARBOUR BOARD'S DISCUSSION

Advice that a new arrangement had been effected with the land registrar allowing a saving of 10s and stamp duty of Is 9d on each of the Blaketown leases was received by the Greymouth Harbour Board at its'meeting on Wednesday evening. There could be no escape from paying the full stamp duty on agreement, the letter stated. The cost of the leases would be £4 8s 6d. Native reserve leases cost £7 12s 6d, including valuation fees. Leases prepared totalled 123, and not 173 as stated by the deputation to the board. The work occupied one principal and six clerks. No ruction could be made in thefees, as they were standard rates. There would be a fee of £lO for 10 new freehold titles to be issued in the board's name. Mr P. J. McLean, the chairman, remarked that 123 at £4 8s 6d seemed rather a big fee. The board had done its best and, lowing the representations made, a saving of lis 9d a lease had been effected- He moved that the board pay the £lO for the 10 new freehold titles, as it meant that the board would hold the freehold of the land S comprised all the property leased to residents of Blaketown. Mr A H. McKane: What is the legal position so far as the householders are concerned if they do not sign the Tfre'secretary (Mr W. B. Gilbert): It will mean that they will have no Mr McKane: But what would happen to the land? ~ ~,.., *,,„ The secretary: Personally I think the board would simply sit back and collect the rent. So far as the board is concerned it is unnecessary for the leaseholders to sign the leases. Mr J. Byall said he thought that unless the holder of the land board leases signed within 30 days the lease was forfeited. Mr McKane: It is not so in this case, I understand. It was decided to convey the contents of the letter to the Blaketown and Preston Road Ratepayers' Association.

PICNIC AT HECTOR

A public picnic was held at Hector recently, the weather being ideal. Members of the Hector Women's Institute were in charge of proceedings and the children especially were well provided for. Events resulted as follows:—Girls' race, under eight: M. Clarke 1, W. Briggs 2. Girls* race, eight to 10: F. Hill 1, K. Conaghan 2. Boys' race, eight to 10: W. Dickson and B. Armstrong (equal) 1. Girls' threelegged race: N. Thompson and B. Barnes 1. Boys' three-legged race: J. Dickson and W. Morris 1. Skipping competition: B. Tyler 1, M. Gear 2. Girls' egg-and-spoon race: P. Daniels 1, M. Gear 2. Boys' egg-and-spoon race: J. Durkin 1, R. Dickson 2. Married women's race: Mrs Dwyer 1, Mrs A. Reid 2. Married men's race: D. Thompson 1. Single men's race: A. Luff 1, M. Stack 2. BULLER CRICKET FIXTURES The Buller Cricket Association's fixtures for to-morrow are as follows: United v. Birchfield, at Waimangaroa; St. Canice's v. Tiroroa, at Westport; Hone Heke, a bye.

REEFTON SCHOOL OF MINES

RESIGNATION OF DIRECTOR

The resignation of Mr L. W. Stevens, director of the Reefton School of Mines for eight years, was received by the council of the school at its monthly m The n president (Mr J. B. Huld) presided. It was resolved that the resignation be received with regret. All members paid a tribute to the efficient work of the retiring director, who had brought the school to a high state of efficiency, and who was particularly successful in the coaching of students. The Minister for Mines advised that the sunply of an oil flotation plant to the school had been deferred for a It'was resolved to again take this matter up, as all schools of mines, except Reefton and Westport, had such plants included in school equipment. It was considered they were a necessary feature for the work of students, who were hampered if they were not able to see such plant in ° P The chairman advised that until the appointment of a director he would undertake the supervision of any testing work done at the school. The balance-sheet showed receipts at £755 13s, and expenditure at £686 2s 7d, with a credit balance of £l5B 2s lid. SHIPPING PORT OF GREYMOUTH ITHE PRESS Special Service.] GREYMOUTH, February 3. The Breeze wil sail to-night from Greymouth for Wellington, Petone, and Miramar with timber. The Poolta left Westport at noon today and is due at Greymouth this evening to complete loading timber for Miramar, Wellington, and poles for Auckland. The Kakapo is due to-morrow from Auckland with cargo and will load for Auckland and Portland. The Kauri is expected on February 14 to load timber for Melbourne and Adelaide The Rata is due here on Monday to load coal for Tarakohe and New Plymouth. The Alexander sailed last night for Nelson and Wanganui. and is scheduled to return about February 11 to load timber for Port Waikato.

I PORT OF WESTPORT rTHE PRESS Special Service.] WESTPORT, February 3. The Rata sailed at 11 o'clock last night for Tarakohe and New Plymouth. The Kaitoa is an expected arrival from Motueka to-morrow to load for ficton. The Kaimai, coal-laden, sailed last night for Lyttelton and Oamaru. The Poolta, part-loaded with coal and timber for Auckland, sailed to-day for Greymouth to complete with timber for Wellington and Auckland. The Karepo arrived from Wellington last night and is loading for Chelsea, Portland, and Kioreroa. sailing to-night for Chelsea. The Kaiwarra is expected to sail tomorrow from Wellington and is due here on Saturday to load for Wellington. High tide at Westport to-morrow is 0.15 a.m. and 0.29 pjn. (New Zealand standard time).

WESTPORT VITAL STATISTICS

Vital statistics for the Westport Teistration district for the month of . anuary, with the figures for last year in parenthesis, are as follows:—Deaths, 4 (6); marriages, 4 (6); births, 7 (11).