SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.

Evening Star, Issue 7475, 20 March 1888, Page 2

SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.

The ordinary meeting of the Otago School Commissioners was held to-day; presentMessrs J. P. Maitland (in the chair), Hon. W. H. Reynolds, James Green, and W. H. Pearson.

A petition was received from settlers at Wyndham Valley for a re-valuation of land sold to them on deferred payments by the Land Board, with a view to a reduction beim» made in the unpaid balances. The following opinion was read from Sir Robert Stout in regard to this matter:—" I am of opinion that the School Commissioners cannot avail themselves of the provisions of the Public Bodies : Powers Act, 1887, to give relief to lessees and purchasers of land leased or sold by the Land Board on behalf of the Commissioners under the provisions of the Land Acts 1882 and 1885. I think that on the proclamation being made under section 53 of the Land Act of 1882, and under section 238 of the Land Act cf 1885, the School Commissioners practically eeace to be a leasing antbority so far as the lands proclaimed are concerned. They have delegated their functions to the Land Board, and cannot reduce rents under section 10 of the Public Bodies' Powers Act, 1887, or vary contracts under section 17 of that Act, and the only thing to be done is to get the Act amended so as to make ic applicable to leases and sales made by the Land Board on behalf of the Commissioners. The Commissioners can of course under section 10 of the Act reduce the rentsof lands leased by the Commissioners themselves under their own powers of leasing. It was resolved "That the attention of the Government be drawn to Sir R. Stout's opinion with a view of legislative action being taken to give power to the Land Board to reduce rents or instalments of pur-chase-money at the requestof the School Commissioners. " The petitioners were also to be informed that the Commissioners haveno power at present to make reductions, owing to the defect in the Act, but that steps would be taken to obtain the necessary power. . , . »/ T» An application was received from Mr U. Gillanders for the right to poison rabbits on the block at present being surveyed for settlement on Run 194, until it was required for occupati6n.—The application was

granted during the pleasure of the Commis sioncrs.

The {secretary submitted draft report of the proceedings of the Commissioners tor ISS6 87, which was read and approved. Accounts amounting to LSI 16? 4d were passed for payment.