LAND TENURE COMMISSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15689, 17 August 1914, Page 3

LAND TENURE COMMISSION

evidence

MINING COMPANIES' NEEDS.

TIMBER RESERVES WANTED.

[BY TEIjEOKAPB.—OWX CORRESPONDENT.]

Waihi, Saturday. The Lands Tenure Commission, of which Mr. J. Strauchon is chairman, sat at Waihi to-day for the purpose of' taking

Representatives of the leading gold companies touched mainly on the question of the reservation of areas of bush

country to ensure a supply of timber , for mining purposes, it being anticipated that tho industry would be carried on for many years to come and that large 1 I quantities of timber would bo required, j Subject to tho Government protecting tho interest* of the mining companies, as far las timber supplies wero concerned, the companies had no desire to retard the 1 settlement of tho lands in the district • I for agricultural purposes. The companies , concerned asked that two bush areas, , I comprising 25,000 acres, should be roi served for mining purposes, and sub--1 mitted plans showing tho proposed re- ' serves.

Members of the Waihi Settlers' Association advocated various amendments to the conditions of tenure and advocated , a change to allow them ultimately to acquire the freehold of their holdings. ' In the caso of arena held by the mining , companies for timber purposes it was ', urged that as the timber was carted out | the ground should be made immediately available for settlement. The witnesses I agreed that the improvement condi- ! trims imposed in connection with the I Hanraki pastoral leases were fair and i reasonable. i! Representatives of tho Waihi Borough Council and Chamber of Commerce also gavo evidence. They agreed that tho ' importance of tho mining industry was 'such that tho companies should be afforded amnio facilities for obtaining • supplies of timber, but at the same time jield that everything should bo done to advanco the settlement of tho land. Tho question as to whether mining district occupation leases should be immediately under tho control of tho warden or the Crown Lands Board was raised, and the majority of the witnesses held that the leases should be under tho jurisdiction of the warden.