CROWN LANDS BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9243, 21 December 1888, Page 3

CROWN LANDS BOARD.

A meeting of the Crown Lands Board was hold yesterday. It was taken out of its ordinary course on account of the ensuing holidays. Thero were present: Mr. S. Percy Smith (Chief Commissioner), Mr. Pearce Dr Campbell, and Messrs. Moat and Gill. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed.

MAN-r,oNUi.— Mr. Robert Houston wrote a long letter in reference to the petition to the Board to grant leases of runs Nos. 28 and '29, Muriwhenua, at Ahipara, on the grounds that it would give a monopoly of gum ; and he set out that he only applied for a depasturing lease, but that he did not wish to have gumdiggers on the land when cattle were running there. He asked the Board to reconsider their decision, and to cut the ground in two, allowing the upper portion for gumdigging, and the lower for depasturing purposes only. It was agreed that the Board adhere to its former resolution.

Crown Grant.—Mrs. De Quincey, for Uswald 1 llhng, made an application for a Crown grant of 388 acres, Parish of Karioi, and the papers in reference to the land, etc., were forwarded. It had been previously before the Board. The application was made by Mrs. DeQuincey aa executrix of the late Captain Pilling, of the 70th Regiment, and the papers being all in order, it was agreed to recommend the issue of the Crown grant. Leave to Occupy an Island. — Mr. Frederick G. Sanders applied for leave to occupy a small island ot about 90 acres on the Mauukau River. The island in question is a small low island in Slippery Creek, near Drury. It was decided to lease the island by auction from year to year. Whaugamarino.—Mr. A. Scott applied for a lease of 250 acres of swamp land adjoining Waikare lake, offering in exchange other land at Rangiriri. The proposition to exchange could not be given effect to, but it was agreed to offer it for lease by auction for a term of seven years at 5 per cent, on £1 per acre.

Hokianga.—The clerk of the County Council wrote re Mr. Coxhead's purchase at Mangamuka :—" Sir,—l have the honour, by resolution of this Council, to bring under your notice the grievance of Mr. W. R. Coxhead, a settler in the Waihou district, who at the recommendation of the officers of the Board purchased a piece of land from the Crown which is useless to any person desirous of following agricultural pursuits. This Council is aware the land is of white clav, which cannot even grow grass successfully. The whole circumstances of the case, which is considered a hard one, more especially to a new-comer,have been laid before this Council, and they would, therefore, respectfully urge that your Board will take the matter into your favourable consideration, and grant Mr. Coxiiead such relief as lies in your power. The Chairman said the land was certainly worse than Mr. Coxhead thought, but the Board could take no action. It was agreed to reply accordingly. Application to Lease Land.—Rape Arapata applied to lease Taraia block for gumdigging, for £10 a-year. He made a similar oiler for another block, both situated in Whangaroa. Both offers were declined. > Application for Land. —Several applications for land were received and dealt with.