HAWKE’S BAY LAND BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 163, 22 July 1901, Page 4

HAWKE’S BAY LAND BOARD.

MEETING AT GISBORNE. The quarterly sitting of the ITawkc's Bay Land Board at Gisborne took place on Saturday, when the following members were present : Messrs E. C. Gold-Smith (Commissioner), G. Matthewson and Groome.

Mr John W. Bright, on behalf of Mrs H. M. Tombleson, wrote, applying to surrender pastoral run 48. —Agreed to request the Minister to accept the surrender.

Mr F. Parker applied for a refund of rent from 23rd May to 23rd June, in respect of his purchase.—The Board agreed to bring the matter before the department and recommend the rebate desired. In the matter of a transfer from Public Trustee to Win. Woods, section 14, Rouparae, Mr Ghrisp appeared for the applicant.—The Board decided to grant the application. THE WILLOWS ESTATE.

A deputation from the Willows settlers waited on the Board in regard to a 10 per cent, reduction in their rents. Mr Maxwell said that there were a good few of the sections that were that wet in the winter time that it was impos-

sible to keep stock on them. There were others at the back of the Awapuni block which ‘would not carry much stock either in winter or summer.

The Chairman said the matter was not one for the Land Board. The Act did not say that there was to be a rebate of 10 per cent, on the rents. It was a matter for the Commissioner of Crown Lands to consider. The only thing the Board c-ould do was to recommend a reduction in the capital value and rent. Mr Matthewson said if they recommended this in the,ease of the Willows settlers they must also recommend a reduction in the case of the Pouparae and Waimaric settlers. If they granted it to one they should grant it in the case of the others. They all deserved it. It was a mistake taking up these lands at all. He sympathised with the tenants because he knew they were paying more than they could afford to pay. The settlers, however, had themselves to blame for taking up such land. After some further discussion, the Chairman said the Board would consider the matter of recommending a reduction in the ease of the Willows, Pouparae, and Waimaric settlors. DEFAULTING LESSEES.

The Board's Bangor reported that a number of the lessees had failed to carry out the conditions of their leases. These cases were dealt with in the following manner :

J. Walsh, Pouparae.—Six months’ extension was granted. G. Brocklebank, jun., Pouparae.—Application for transfer to bo sent in to the Board.

R. Hamer, Waimaric. —It was decided to inform Mr Ilamer that he must reside at once on the property.

G. Jones, Waimaric : Mr Jones waited on the Board and stated that ho resided on the property repeatedly, having a house on it for the purpose.—The explanation was accepted. J. O’Grady, Willows.—lt was decided to notify Mr O’Grady that he must reside on the section.

G. J. White, Willows.—The Board suggested that the lessee should apply to surrender his section to save the value expended in improvements.

W. W. Shanks and 11. 11. Shanks, Willows. —The lessees, who were charged with faulty residence, appeared and stated that there was a house on the property. They could not live on the property continually, as they had to go out and earn their living.—Tho explanation was deemed satisfactory. C. Wright, Willows. —Extension was granted till October. A. Lange, Willows.—Tho complaint was default of residence. Mr Lango appeared and asked for six months’ extension, which was granted.—Tho lessee applied for a transfer of the selection now hold by Mr W. It. Clark, which adjoined his own.—A letter was read from Mr Clark on tho subject.—The Board decided to recommend the transfer to tho Minister for Lands. G. Tazewell.—The Board decided to grant an extension of six months. G. Maxwell, Willows. —Tho lessee appeared and said he could not live on the section in its present condition. His health would not permit it. Ho could not hold it without loss as it was situated at present.—The Board decided to grant an extension for six months. C. Roach, Willows.—Lessee, who was charged with default of residence, said he intended to build on the property in about six months’ time. —The Board decided to grant an extension for nine months. M. Mclntosh, Willows.—Lessee said it

cost so much to clear the property that she could not afford to build on it.—Tho Board granted an extension for nine months to enable tho lessee to build.

B. B. Brooking, Willows.—Tho lessee expected to build a six-roomed house in twelve months’ time, and he asked an extension for that period.—The Board granted the application. A. F, Cuff, Willows.—Lessee appeared in answer to a charge of non-resideneo. He was living on property leased from the Natives adjoining tho selection which ho took up. He understood that under those conditions it was not necessary for him to live on the property. lie complained that tho rent in respect of the selection was too high.—Tho Board accepted tho explanation, and said with

regard to the lessee’s complaint that the Board was going to consider the matter generally. A ROAD WANTED. Several Ngatapa settlers waited on the Board and complained that if the bushfelling now being gone on with at present were continued tlic track would be blocked. They had frequently to use the bed of tho river to obtain access to their properties. They asked that a road should be constructed so as to enable them to got to and from their holdings.— The Board decided to rocommend tho Department to push on with tho road, which it was suggested should bo constructed in the locality, and in respect of which a loan was obtained. MOTU SETTLERS’ ASSOCIATION.

A letter was read from the Motu Settlers’ Association applying to have portions 6 and 4, blocks 11 and 15, in the Motu district, subdivided and put in the market. The Board decided to recommend that the property should be cut up, reserving portion for timber purposes. GENERAL MATTERS. Applications for expenditure of accrued thirds were approved of in the case of Ngatapa Road Board, ,£9O ; Waiapu County Council, .£lO4 Os 3d. An application to complete purchase was received from Edith E. Murphy n respect of section 1, block 1, Whanga:a S.D. —Granted. The following transfers of leases were agreed to : —Herbert Beaufoy to Emma Beaufov, sections 1 and 5, blocks 14 and 15, Motu ; William Downes to W. W. and and C. H. Bridge, sections 10 and 11, block 7, Motu S.D.; William Carron to .Tas. Andrew’, section 13, block 10, Whangara; Edward Limerick to R. Baker, section 4, block 10, Wliangara; William M. Hall to M. W. Douglas, section 2, block 10, Whangara; Gilbert T. Bull to H. Mclldowic, sectional, block 14, Whangara ; W. R. Clark to Annie Lange, section 4, block 6, Turanganui, Willows. It was decided to send notice to A. L. Bonniface, who was a defaulter to the extent of £l'2 11s in respect of secti'on 14, block 1, Waimarie.—Throe months’ extension was allowed to B. Brooking, who was in arrears in respect of section 14, block 6, Willows, to the extent of JS23 15s sd. 1

The Crown Lands Ranger reported on the improvements on section 14, Motu village.—The matter was left in the hands of the Chairman to deal with.

The Crown Lands Ranger reported on 23 holdings in the Motu and Ngatapa districts. The report was approved. Authority w’as given for payment of improvements lodged in respect of section 26, block 1, Pouparae, as follow’s: Public aeccount, £97 17s 9d ; late lessee, £77 15s.