MARLBOROUGH LAND BOARD.

Marlborough Express, Volume XIII, Issue 1013, 3 April 1878, Page 6

MARLBOROUGH LAND BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Board was held on Monday last, when were present the ChiefCommissioner and Messrs. Hodson, Paul and Robinson. •

The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. . :

The Chief -Surveyor's report was read stating' that "instructions Had been given for the surveys of applications 16, 23, 34, 35, but they were not yet completed. The surveys of 40 and 45 will be proceeded with as soon as the applicants have arranged for payment of the same m the usual manner with the surveyor^ and the surveys of applications 46 and 47 will probably not be proceeded with until a minor triaogulation has been carried up the Pelorus Valley. .1 have also to report m reply to your memo, of Feb. 8, 1878, that the survey of the Wakamarina cannot be proceeded with until a triangulation proposed to be carried from the Wairau river to that district is completed,, but m the meantime I forward a topographical sketch map of the Wakamarina river, which will give the Board a fair idea of the general features of the country, the amonnt of available land, and other information relative to the valley, and should any further information be required by* the Board, I should be happy to attend for. that purpose. Mr Wilson who is now engaged carrying bearings and fixing geodesical . stations over the district, will proceed with the triangulation above alluded to as soon as he has completed that work." A very handsome map was laid on the table, on which the site of the present diggings was shown,. with much other information, i The, Commissioner said that Mr Clark had reported to him verbally that the., miners m the Wakamarina district were very much opposed to the land being sold. - Probably it would be well to pass some resolution declaring that fno land should be sold, while retaining the power of dealing with the forests. Mr Hodson was quite of that opinion; If the Chief-Commissioner would move a resolution of that kind be would support it as very desirable. i The Commissioner said that the Board had asked for a map of the district, to which the Chief Surveyor had replied that it could not he furnished until surveyed; which gave rise to the discussion. ■ ... '. Mr Hodson moved— That m the opinion of the Board it is not desirable that any land should

be sold m the Wakamarina district as at present constituted m th'e Wakamarina Gold Field. It was evident that the miners had a very strong feeling on the subject, and he thought it only right to give every facility to them for opening up the country, especially as there was every probability- of proving a good diggings. Mr Paul seconded the motion. Mr Robinson said it scarcely went far enough to please him, as leases or licenses might be issued that would be equally disadvantageous. He thought no person should have right to do more than cut timber on the lands.

The Commissioner said leases or licenses for timber cutting would only allow them to out timber and -would not prevent diggers going on it

Mr Hodson said he would move — That no timber licenses should be issued m that district.

Mr Robinson was of opinioh that no leases or licenses should.be issued which would give a right to the exclusive cutting of timber or occupation of the land. If as was probable there was any deep sinking much timber would be required, as well as access to the land. The following motion' was 'then put and passed — " That it is the opinion of this Board that for the present no lands should be sold. in the Wakamarina Gold -Fields,' and that no timber licenses should be issued giving any exclusive rights to the timber or occupation of the land." The Commissioner said a man named Ahem had already applied to purchase 50 acres, and the Warden had. recommended that, the section be sold to him, but upon the matter being brought under his (the Commissioner's) notice, he advised that it be held over until a survey had been made. He would move thatihe sketch map before them was all that was required at present. .. , Mr Robinson differed m opinion, as it might be necessary to lay out a township if the diggings went on, otherwise no one would put up substantial buildings. . The Commissioner said Deep Creek would be the most suitable site for a township, as it had been dug all over. Mr Robinson thought the survey when made would be a most useful work. The Commissioner said the land would then be laid out m sections which would not be very serviceable. : • ,- . Mr Robinson said there would be no good m that, but the best lines of road should be laid out. . .- .....'. '.• ; . The proposed motion wen dropped. .'.,-,, The Commissioner said he and Mr Seymour had looked over the Act and thought they could not do better than continue the present regulations for cutting timber. They had agreed on the following, and he the a moved :— "That the Governor be recommended to declare all present Crown Lands within the Provincial District of Marlborough subject to the provisions of part V. of the Land Act 1877. That the Commissioner of Crown Lands .be authorised to employ, some person or persons to act as rangers at such times as it may be necessary for protecting the forests. That the old regulations of 19th April 1875 be recommended to the Governor as regulations for the district under this section of. the Act.". He thought this would be better than empldying a regular ranger ; when they suspected any depredations he could send a person specially to report, as m the recenCcase of Diamonte's. The motion was carried. Mr H. J. Stace of Starborough applied to have Lake Grassmere near Elaxbourne put up to auction. . The Commissioner described it as a lagoon of a few thousand, acres near JFlaxbourne, of which a portion was below low water mark, and a still larger portion below high water mark, but protected and 'sometimes closed by S.B. weather. ...-.' Mr Robinson said he had never seen it, but he understood it could easily be drained.. If so, it wonld be abont the best land m the.country. The applicant gave no idea of its dimensions. Mr Hodson said from what -he knew of it, if drained and cut into sections it might be sold advantageously. He should like its consideration postponed for a report. He thought that Mr Seymour would know something about it, if he were present. They had no idea of its value. Mr Paul would also like it reported on as noue of the Board was acquainted with it. Mr Robinson asked if they could sell so large 1 a block? , . • : :■■ . ■ The Commissioner said no, they could not sell over 320 acres. They, could not assess it below LI an acre. Under the regulations the applicant would have to survey the land and report to the Board, which would have to take his report unless they had a special report. Mr Hodson would lik6 it*to v stand over, as there was no need for hurry, until more accurate information was before them.

The Commissioner thought it would be desirable to get a report and the levels taken. Mr Ingles would probably be able to give them reliable information about it. ;

Mr Pattl moved— That the consideration of matter be postponed till next meeting, which was carried. .. .< ■•. , ■ ..-. ;

Leave of absence for the present meeting was given to Mr IngleS. . • , Mr Creighton as , Attorney for Wall, wrote agreeing to the assessment of 92 Pelorus Valley, and the Board then ordered it to be reserved, alßo sections 126 Maori Bay, 144 Penguin Bay and 92 Pelorus Valley. , . * * John O'Leary applied under clause 18 for sections 1040, 1045, 1046, and 1085 town of Picton for a road contract.

The Commissioner said the sections had been formerly assessed on the ground by Mr Seymour and confirmed by the Board at £8 for the first three named and £T for the last. - The Board resolved that the assessment remain as stated; The assessments of sections 31, 32 and 33 Picton Suburban to be deferred till next meeting to obtain information as to their whereabouts. The Commissioner pointed ont that the nnal right of selection m cases where road contracts had been let for payment m land had to be made and put m by the 30th April m accor- . dance with a former resolution of the Board. He asked whether this was their meaning when passing it. The Board held that such was the meaning of the resolution passed three fmonths ago. '■<■ If any I OUatormesß was found to exist they would

move m the matter at a later date. It would I be hard if surveyors could not be got that anyone should snffer by it. \ The Board then adjourned. (