LAND BOARD ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 72, 18 December 1907, Page 9

LAND BOARD ELECTIONS.

,< ■ — 1 '.representation; of the tenants. • Tho. Hon. R. M'Nab (Minister for Lands) informed a Dominion reporter ycstorday afternoon that great interest is being taken by Crown tenants in different parts of the country in the elections of persons to represent them on the Land Boards. These elections aro the first of their kind, and it was only by tho Laid Laws Amendment Act of last session that representation on tho Crown Land Boards was granted to the tenants. Mr. M'Nab mentioned that tho elections are being conducted' in accordance with tho regulations, already published, which wero ;\p- i proved by Cabinet since the rising of I'arlia-' ment. The electoral roll now being used is a list of tho Crown tenants as on January 1, 1907, but elections to fill vacancies other than those existing when tho Act camo into operation will bo heldoovan v a similar roll, dated January 1, 1908, and will tako placo in duo course as tho expiry of existing appointments creates vacancies in tho Boards. Tenants ill sevoral land districts aro announcing by advertisement that they aro candidates. '' Elections, which aro conducted through tho mails;- aro now proceedin" in tho Auckland, Hawko's Bay,' and Marlborough land districts, and there aro also vacancies in tho Nelson and Southland districts. Other vacancies aro duo- to occur as followsTaranaki, February 5, 1908; Wellington, May 26, 1909; Canterbury, August 5, 1908; AVostland, March 29, 1908; Otago, October 13, 190 S. Tho tenants are to bo allowed ono representative! on each Land Board. The interest which tho Marlborough Crown tenants aro taking in the election is indicated by tho fact that six candidates aro in I tho ficlcl for tho single seat. They are:— Mr. J. G. Armstrong, of Starborongh; Mr. James Boyd, of Kaikoura; Mr. John Duncan, of Tho Grovo (formerly a member of tho Board); Mr. G. M'Leod Gunn, of Starborough; Mr. F. J. Monk, of Kaikoura; and Mr. S. M. Novill, of Blenheim.