Land Board

Cromwell Argus, 15 July 1929, Page 5

Land Board

Business of local interest before tho J Land Board last week was principally in connection with Mount. Pisa Flats. Despite the board's recent visit and public meeting at Cromwell, following which came ;i decision from the Board, several prospective settlers and land-owners made a trip to Duuedin and waited on the Board. The applications dealt with were as follows: — Alfred Clarence Turner applied for a renewable lease over sections 5 and 6, block 11, Tairas S.D.. area 303 a ir iop. The area is below the road beyond the Wash Creek, and towards* the l.ochar. —It was decided to hold over the application to enable the board to look into the question wheth er the late Mr Guthrie (the then Minister ot" Lands) had promised that such land would be retained for soldiers' settlement, as had been alleged by the deputation from the Returned Soldiers' Association, which had waited on the Board the previous day. David F. Harris applied for n lease of sections 5. 6, 7. 8. block 11, Ta'ias S.D.. area 5Q2a 2r 2c>p. This area includes that applied for by Turner and takes in all the land below the road from the Wash to the l.ochar.—Held over. Robert Gordon Frew applied for a lease of sections 15 and 17, block I, Wakefield S.D-. area 150 a2r 17P. — a'-'ld over. This area is below the cad, just beyond Pisa homestead. William Clark applied for a reuewrjle lease over section 24, block IV, Aakeheld S.D.. area 177 aor up. ibis area is above the road between Ball's latest grant and the Nine-mile. —Held over. The Board was asked to consider the question of fixing the rentals for tho allotments proposed to be disposed of on Pisa Flats.—lt was decided to hold this matter over until the point raised by the Returned Soldiers' Association was decided. The transfer of part run 433. Vincent County, from Phoebei M.. Graham to Francis M. Riley, was approved. Peter Vlietstra requested that his application to be allowed to select without competition sections 32 and 35-37, block VII. Tanas S.D. (876 a 2V 34P), be reconsidered, and that the land be not offered by ballot as previously decided. —Previous decision ad hered to. Mr Crosbv. Morris appeared before the Board on behalf of Mr J. F. Smith, who had previously held an area of 300 odd acres on Pisa Flat, on a temporary grazing license, and whose area' had been reduced to 95 acres, in pursuance of the scheme by the board to settle the whole of the Pisa Flats. Mr Morris stressed the point that the- excellent results obtained by Mr Smith through hard work and the application of water had caused the agitation for the) subdivision and settlement. He considered that an injustice had been done to his client, and he made a strong appeal for an allotment of 200 acres, if the Board could not see its way to restore the original area of 300 acres. Members of the Board raised the question whether Mr Smith had been neglecting the irrigation of his lease-in-perpetuity-farm in order that he miffht be able to have a preference claim bv irrigating his grazing license farm of 300 acres. Mr Morris said he was unable to answer this question, but he thought it was highly improbable that Mr Smith had done as suggested. He admitted, however, that another man had a water right which might also serve the area proposed to be taken away from Mr Smith. The Board decided to adhere 1 to its previous decision.