A VERY YOUNG FARMER.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4195, 31 August 1874, Page 5

A VERY YOUNG FARMER.

At the last meeting of the Otago Waste Lands Board, Mr. Connell, forW. Miller, jun., applied to purchase sections 28, 21, and 37, block IV., Table Hill. He said this was an application from Mr. Walter Miller, jun., sou of Mr. Walter Miller, sen. The Warden reported that the application should be amended. Mr. Connell said the Board had already held that these applications could bo received from the sous of applicants and minors. This was another son. Mr. Strode ; What! another son. I wonder how many more he has got ? Mr. Connell: This is a lona fide application. Mr. Miller, I believe, has about eleven and a half sons.—(laughter.) This is Ins last son, and I believe he will make a good settler. Mr. Bastings : The last was about 1-1 years old. Perhaps, this one will be about 6. Mr. Harris, ns a large shareholder representing the Havelock Hill Water Hace Company, opposed this application. The company had been to the expense of about £3OO, and the race was 11 miles long. Mr. Connell: The race does not approach these sections. It has a different water-shed, Waitahuna East. Mr. Harris: After mistakes are made, whereby people are misled, it is but right that they should know how far the mistakes extend. The Commissioner : I think ' the matte)' should be referred to the Warden to report. If the application were granted, it might interfere with mining operations. . Mr. Strode : It should bo amended, and the Warden asked for a full report. Mr. Bastings ; Can miners occupy sections then ? _ «... The Commissioner replied in the afhrmative. Mr. Bastings: You say a child can buy land like lollies and cakes.

The Commissioner : If a child brings the money, I cannot help it. Mi - . Bastings ;If the Board is to entertain applications of this kind, I don’t know how yon are going to carry out the deferred payment system. If the Board lay down the rule that each applicant is to receive no more than 400 acres, and a man has a dozen children, for whom he makes application, it would be impossible to carry out the spirit of the principle. I think the Board could lay down a system, and abide by it. The Commissioner : The Board must do the best it can.

Mr. Bastings ; It is a perfect farce to adopt the principle and not carry it out. Mr. Connell : The Board has no power to refuse the application. Mr. Bastings ; My own opinion is at all events different. The agents in town are about the only persons who arc aware that the system of only allowing 400 acres to each applicant is extended to their children. lam only looking at the future. If the Board winks at these things, it will be the same under the deferred payment system when it comes before the Board. Mr. Gillies ; The Board has not the power to refuse these applications. Mr. Connell : It would be a fraud upon the Government for those under 18 years of age to obtain land from the Board. The land is vested in their guardians till they become 21 years of age. The Commissioner : The hoys -will understand that, and 1 trust they will make as good settlers as their father (Mr. Miller). Mr. Strode : We should see that these applications are honafide. Mr. Connell; Tha Board know that they are Mr. Miller’s sons. The Commissioner .- The question is, is this a dummy application ? Mr. Connell: The son is not a dummy. Mr. Gillies :. The Board could not expect each applicant to be present when their cases are heard. Mr. Strode : If the applicants were present we could ask questions and give a fair decision. Mr. Bastings : I shall oppose any application which does not come under the, principle laid down. ' Mr. Butterworth (and others) ; So shall I. Mr. Connell ; This decision of the Board is against the law. The Board has' exceeded its powers in laying down the rule. I think the opinion of the Solicitor-General should be taken upon the subject. I should like to know whether I am to come here and only apply for 400 acres or not. The Commissioner : Let us get to business, now, Mr. Connell We’ll consider that ,subject by-and-bye. The Board decided that the application, should be postponed.