WASTE LAND BOARD.

Evening Star, Issue 3853, 30 June 1875, Page 2

WASTE LAND BOARD.

To day’s meeting was attended by the Chief Commissioner, Messrs Held and Clarke. The following was the principal business transacted;— Mr W. Perciyal applied that sections 1 and 2, block 7, Blneskin, should be offered for sale by auction shortly. To be advertised for sale on usual terms. Mr G. Graham’s complaint of his application for the island on Waipori Lake being refused, while those adjacent were disposed! of, was simply read. Mr H. Burffbtt’s (of Waitaki) abandonment of his coal pit at Awatnoko was accepted. Alexander. Gilchrist’s application for "a lease of shingle reserve, lection 145, block 2, Otepopo, was refused.

Connell and Moodie, for J. Shennan and others* requested tbe Board to withdraw permission to cut a new channel for the Waipori River through the bush reserve, block 2, Maungatua. The minute of June 9 was g amended to the following effect : * Lees portion of section 29, block 2, Maungatua, which may hereafter be required in improving the Waipori Stream.” On the subject of miners cutting timber, the following minute was passed “ The Chief Commissioner to instruct the Ranger to prosecute parties removing timber fiom Pigeon Island j also to inform Rangers that miners have no right to remove timber, except within the limits of their own claims ” Ths attention of the Board was called to, rents in arrear, for which notice to pay was seat to lessees on May 27 last, and the Chief Commissioner was instructed to communicate with the Provincial Solicitor, with a view to taking legal action. Rradshaw, for George M'Laughlin, applied for an island on the Clutha. above Rocky Point. Refused, When the ordinary business had been got through, Mr J, A. Connell, in answer to a question from the Chief Commissioner, said he was waiting until Mr Reid brought forward his motion.—Mr Reid ; Then you will not be listened to.—Mr Connell j Possibly not by you —Mr Reid: But it is for the Chairman to rule me out of order. Subsequently the Clerk called on for consideration r? e matter, as entered in the Boards minute-book' this morning;—**The Government recommends that the following sections should be declared land of special value, and sold by auction on September 21, 1875, at the upset pries set opposite, as follows :—Lx Waipahee Hundred (at 25s per acre), section 6, block 12, L 265 7s; s? etio “ 7, block 12, L 264 12s; section 20, L 264 6s; section 21, L 262 ss: section 22, L 262 16s j and section 23, L 252 17s 6d. In Waikaka district, block II (at 25s per acre) section 3, L 262 16s; section 10, L 268 2s; and section 11, L 262 14s. In Waipahee district, block 16, at 20a per acre, section 1, L 342 10s j and in block 18 (at 20a per acre), section 1, L 235 ss; sec.ion 2, L 235: section 3, L 23 5; and section 4, L 248 65." Mr Connell; I am here to askthe Hoard to consider whether or not I am protected by its resolution that no business shall be brought .forward unless entered before 4 p.m. on the day previous. This business is important, and may probably touch the interests of persons whom I represent, but I have not had sufficient notice to come before the Board with definite information upon that subject. I trust the Board will not stultify itself by framing a resolution at one meeting and waiving it at the next, without any proper ground or reason whatever.—The Chief Commissioner ; We are by law allowed to alter.—Mr Connell could have no objection if the alteration were made after notice.—Mr Reid pointed that the Superintendent, under the 85th clause of the Act had given his consent. He would be sorry to see it laid down that the Superintendent must be classed in the same category as private applicants and explained that it had been impossible to hold an Executive meeting earlier than this morning. —Mr Connell assured the Board that his action was not dictated by factious opposition to the Government or to Mr Reid, but simply in defence of what he considered an important principle. The resolution was one that might seriously affect bis constituents.—The, Chief Commissioner : You can speak upon that point now. Mr Connell had not come there to speak in a general way,. The proposal was not only to add the value of the improvements, but to raise the price of the naked land, which the law prescribed to be 20s per acre. He did not know which of bis constituents might be affected, and asked for time to ascertain Mr So and So . Mr Reid ; It is not Mr So and So, but the public only that is interested. The Board decided that it had the power to deal with the matter, and on its decision, to act as the Government recommended, being communicated to Mr Connell, he said as he was not there to represent any one in particular, he did not care to speak about fancy resolutions and fancy plans, and withdrew. At Mr Reid’s suggestion the sale of Heriot Hundred was ordered to be held at Lawrence ; and of the Clinton Hundred at BtJclutha.