CROWN LANDS BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9105, 13 July 1888, Page 3

CROWN LANDS BOARD.

The regular; meeting of the Crown Lands Board was held yesterday. Present: Mr. S. P. Smith '(Commissioner), Dr. Campbell, and Messrs. Gill and Pearce. Lands Taken Up.—The Commissioner read the following statement of lands taken up during June.: — cash, 28 selectors, 6201 acres, for £3189 13s 3d ; deferred payment, 10, for 997 acres, amount of rent £79 5s 2d ; perpetual lease. 23, for 3993 acres, annual rent, £137 16s. Discovery of Coal at Huntly.—Mr. Frank S. Dufaur wrote, enclosiug certificate from Mr. R. •W. Moody, re the recent dis coverv of coal at Huntly, and trusted the | Board would recognise the money lie had spent in boring operations, and thus enable him to reap some benefit from having proved j the existence of coal at the deepest level yet \ reached in Waikato. It was agreed to give notice to persons interested, asking whether they had any objection to make, or whether they would be affected. Miranda Coal Company.—Mr. J. Barber, secretary of the Miranda Coal Company, wrote in regard to the canal constructed by the company, and a communication received from Mr. J. M. Alexander, solicitor, with reference to the canal constructed by the company through part of allotment 20, parish of Maramarua. They submitted that it the land were dealt with at all, they naturally concluded it would be put up for lease, and not for sale, and had this been the case their attention would have been directed to it. Considering the circumstances, and the fact that the company had expended £30,000 on the property, a small colony has been established, houses erected, and families ' settled, and that before constructing the canal the company took what they considered every available means to protect themselves in the way of securing the land in question. The directors believed that on the representation by the Board of the facts he would put in force the reservation expressed in section 14 of the Land Act, 1885. He suggested that in doing so a chain and a half in width from the River Maramarua should be taken to include the company's canal, and a roadway at the side of it. The Commissioner explained the circumstances. The company's canal crossed the Crown lands, Mid amongst sections offered for sale was this through which the canal was cut. The company knew nothing of it until a demand, was made on them by the purchasers, of the land for a rental of £1 per week. Mr. Barber, the secretary of the company, in attendance, and made an explanation of the circumstances under which the directors failed to notice that the land was offered for sale, as they never anticipated such, and he submitted that as a matter of public convenience it was desirable to have the road there. The land in dispute was taken up for the flax on it, but it was always covered with water, and was valueless for the purpose for which it was taken up. It was agreed that the Governrcant be asked to exercise the right of road through this land, on condition that the company dedicate the road beyond. Te Kopuru Sawmill Company.— Dufaur applied for a renewal of the timber floating licenses of the Te Kopuru Company over streams in the Upper Wairoa. 'lhere was no objection, and the application was granted. Another Application.—Mr. . McLeod applied for a renewal t fci3~slmber floating licenses at Waikoukotf'.-'arfd other streams. Mr. Joseph Wilkins, chairman of the late Ararimu Highway Board, wrote that Mr. McLeod had called on him on the 9th June, stating that his license for floating timber down the Kokopu, Waipapa, and other streams had expired, and he was applying for a renewal. As Mr. Wilkins was the only serious opposition, he now withdrew it, as Mr. MoLeod had honourably carried out his agreement. The application for a renewal was approved. Waipa River Frontages.— Robert Fleming and a number of others holding allotments along the banks of the Waipa River, objected to the river frontages of these allotments being sold, as the river was continually washing the banks away, and the frontage would be required in future. They were willing to take the land under the squaring-up clause. The Chairman said it was the coolest letter he ever received. Under the squaring-up clause they would be sold for £2 an acre, and he was assured that when offered they would realise £50 an acre. It was agreed to offer the land for sale at an upset price of £5 an acre. Applications for Land.— number of applications for land were received and dealt with. They were to have sections offered for sale, sections for lease, and permission to occupy, etc. There were also applications for hall sites, and cemetery sites. With reference to the North Albert land hall site, it was agreed to make it a public hall site, and that the Government be asked to appoint as trustees those who were at present acting in that capacity. Crown Grant.—Colonel DeQuincy applied for a Crown grant of 250 acres, to which he was entitled under his land order. The application was approved of. Extension of Time.—Thos. ISutsford wrote that in consequence of having no road to his selection at Mareretu, he had erected his dwellinghouse on his son's selection adjoining, and he asked permission to defer building a house to any time within the five years ; and he further asked twelve months' extension of time for the purpose if the first application was not granted. It was agreed to grant the twelve months' extension on condition that he strictly adhered to the other conditions.

Foreiture of Selection. — James and Susan Given had been written to to show cause why their selection, section 14, Block 11., Ruapokapeka, should not be forfeited for failure to comply with the conditions. Susan Given replied that owing to the illness of her brother, and the death of her father, they could not comply with the regulations, and asked to be allowed to occupy from this forward, and they would do all the -improvements. Mrs. Given had also been written to. She desired to transfer her interest in her selection to her son James, and it was agreed to allow her to do so. Dead Kauri.—James Kirk, of Wairau, asked permission to remove some kauri trees which were burnt in clearing the land for grass. Granted. Leave of Absence.— Hugh and George Smith, of Upper Matakana, asked for leave of absence from their homestead at Pakiri for six months. Permission was granted. Instalment of Rent. —S. Haroldson, of l'akanae, Hokianga, asked for an extension of time for two months in which to pay his instalment of rent. It was agreed to refer the applicant to section 45 of the Act, which allowed 110 days for payment of rent. Breach of Conditions.—Mr. L. Roisterer, Rawene, wrote offering reasons why he had not fulfilled the conditions of lease. To this an answer had been sent, that he had failed to comply with the conditions of his lease, and failing compliance' with the terms of the lease, the land was liable to be forfeited, and the lease cancelled by the Land Board. It was agreed to take no action at present. , 'Homestead Selections.A numHr of applications and complaints from homestead settlers were received and dealt with on their merits.