LAND BOARD.

Evening Star, Issue 7751, 24 October 1888, Page 2

LAND BOARD.

To day's sitting was attended by Messrs Maitland (Chief Commissioner), Logan, Duncan, Clark, and Dallas.

Consideration was resumed of A. T. Kenny's application that section 16, block 5, Mount Hyde district, be taken out of Mr Singer's small grazing run for the purpose of mining the same for coal, which stated that the coal on the section applied for was better than that at Mr Singer's pit, and that if the Board agreed to take an area for coal mining from the section at least twenty acres should be withdrawn. Mr Simpson also forwarded a petition from settlers for transmission to Government against the sale of the land to Mr Singer.—The Board arrived at the following conclusion:— "That, after careful consideration of the evidenoe given in support of this application, and also that brought forward by Mr Singer in opposition to the same, the Board has come to the conclusion that it will be conduoive to the benefit of the miners and settlers at Hindon if further facilities are afforded for opening up the coal seams in the district; and to this end would suggest that the Government be recommended to cancel Mr Singer's small grazing run lease over an area of say twenty acres, within section 16, block 5, Mount Hyde district, marked 'coal reserve' on the map (as per plan); the said area to have access to road line, with the view of licenses or leases, or licenses and leases, being granted within the same for coal mining." —When the matter was disposed of, Mr Singer said that he had not received justice, and that he intended to bring it under the notice of the proper authorities. He had, in fact, been worse treated than if he had been in Russia, and he would take steps to warn intending fellow - German immigrants of the dangers they ran in trusting implicitly to the statements of officials. He had been too often misled by the chairman of the Board.

Robert Muir applied for a transfer of his coal lease to John Edward Wade, his appointee ; also of his right to graze stock over section 3, block 4. Kurow.—He was requested to forward lease to mine, also letter giving right to graze, with letter from Mr Wade agreeing to accept transfer of both.

Leslie A. Norman, instructed by George Perry, applied to purchase section 24, block 1, Blackstone district, he having once occupied and improved the same.—Referred to District Land Officer to report. Robert Sumners, holder of deferred-pay-ment section 3, block 10, Glenkenich district, asked if it would be necessary to apply to the Board with reference to readjustment of the value of the land, or whether the Crown Ranger would report about his taking further action.—lt was resolved that the writer be requested to apply to the Board, stating reasons for the request to reduce the price of the land.

Charles Swanston stated that he could not afford to pay the present rental of sections 16 and 20, Block 10, Strath Taieri district, and asked that the land be made a small grazing run.—The Board declined the request.

C. Benfell applied for the grazing right over the reserve situated between sections 25 and 26, block 10, Kelso township, and the river, on the condition of his keeping the land clear of rabbits.—Referred to the Chief Commissioner.

J. Winslade, on behalf of self and daughter, applied for the grazing right over reserve between sections 24 and 25, block 2, and the river. He also applied for the grazing right over the reserve situated between sections 26 and 27, block 2, and the river.—Both applications were referred to the Chief Commissioner.

The District Land Officer at Clyde, in reporting on an application by Mr Spence H. Turton, on behalf of Mr John Stronach, for a license to occupy for three years ten acres of land on Run 237b, on the south side of Dry Creek, for the purpose of raising lignite, stated that he did not know the land, but thought that there should be no objection to the application being granted. —lt was resolved that a license be granted for three years for five acres of land, at a rental of LI per acre per annum, payable in advance with license fee. A memorandum was received from the Under-Secretary of Lands with reference to an application by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company to purchase eighty-eight acres on Run 433, stating that as the original lessee of the run did not exercise his pre-emptive right the eightyeight acres could not be sold to the company ; but that no objection would be raised to the area being offered for sale by auction, burdened with valuation for improvements, sale to take place after the sale of the run.— It was resolved that the company be informed accordingly; area to be deducted from run when reoffered.

Messrs John and Allan Boyd asked permission to surrender Runs 254, 254 a, and 260, Rocklands, as they could not continue to hold them on account of the rabbit scourge and the small number of stock the runs were capable of carrying. —lt was decided to forward the application to the Government for consideration. Mr W. L. 'Simpson, on behalf of the licensees of Runs 217, 217 a, 464, and 11, requested permission to surrender licenses of these runs, the country being subject to snowstorms and infested with rabbits.—lt was decided to forward the applications to the Government for consideration.

An application by James Field for villagesettlement land (section 29, block 2, Glenomaru), on deferred pajments, was approved. Mt W, L, Simpson, on behalf of Patrick M'Atammey, made application to capitalise on section 8, block 7, Blackstone, which was approved. John Fitzgerald applied to purchase section 58, blook 6, Tuapeka West, formerly held under agricultural lease.—The application was granted. ' The Star of the East Quartz Mining Company applied for the cancellation of lease of section 10, block 2, Bannockburn.—lt was resolved to recommend the Government to cancel the lease as requested. Mr Finch, on behalf of William Twelftree and Donald Campbell, junr., applied to have an application by Mr Lawson for fortyfive acres of land in block 10, Waipori district, reconsidered.—A rehearing was granted for the 7th prox. Mr W. L. Simpson, on behalf of Patrick M'Atammey, applied to surrender a pastoral license over section 4, block 16, Blackstone.—The surrender was accepted ; valuation of improvements to be made, and the Chief Surveyor requested to allow Mr Dis-1 trict-Sarveyot Barrow to make she saine.