CHEVIOT SCANDAL

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8482, 17 July 1913, Page 7

CHEVIOT SCANDAL

INTERESTING DISCLOSURES INTERFERENCE "WITH LAND BOARD. The file of the Lands Department regarding' section 20, block IN., Cheviot Survey. District, concerning which strong criticism was levelled at the Government by Mr G. Forbes, M.P. for Hurunui, contains some interesting disclosures of the conflict between the Canterbury Land Board, which was prepared to offer the land on renewable lease, and the Land Department at Wellington, which, with the approval of the Minister, wanted to soli the section at auction for cash. The board resisted this - proposal, and a prominent member of the board—~Mr Joseph Gibson —who was responsible for keeping the board to its decision, was removed in favour of a faithful follower of “Reform ” The board then went back on its previous resolution,_ and carried out the wish ot the Minister.' In a memorandum from the Commissioner of Crown Lands, dated February 14th, 1913, it is mentioned that the Dnder-Sccretary’s letter of June 29th was laid before the board on February 6th, and after consideration, the board adhered to their former resolution of December sth that section 20 should be offered under renewable lease, and in the same terms. The letter goes on to state - : “There arc three local people who have asked for this land under renewable lease, and the ranger reports that it is a good piece of land. The applicants will he disappointed if the land is not offered under good tenure.” Again on March 26th, 1013, the acting Commissioner of Crown Lands, Canterbury, writing to the Under-Seore-tary of Lands, states that he had obtained the report of Messrs Buckhurst and McDonald, Crown lands rangers, a copy of which he enclosed, concluding, “Tinder the circumstances I would therefore suggest that it be opened under renewable lease as formerly suggested.” REPORT BY RANGERS. Then there is a report from Messrs Buckhurst (Crown Lands Banger) and D. McDonald, Assistant Crown Lands Ranger, dated March 13th, 1913, as follows: —“To Commissioner of Crown Lands, Christchurch. Re section 20, 8 acres 2 roods 12 perches, block XX., Cheviot survey district. “Sir: The eight apd a half acres proposed to be let under renewable lease in block IX, Cheviot survey district, has no reservation over it, though 3 acres of limestone land adjoining is reserved as a limestone reserve, and will be ample for any requirements for lime that may arise in this part of .the district, which will not he affected by the leasing of the 8) acres. At present there is no demand, and no appearance of any demand in the immediate future, for lime working sections 10 and 22 adjoining containing ten acres now held by Mr Wilkinson, who is a professional fruit grower, and for which he paid £3OO in goodwill in 1910 (the then existing improvement on the 10 acres being valued at £160). The 8 acres under question is similarly situated, and equal in class of soil, being sheltered and dose to the sea, ajid very little subject to the frosts; about 5i miles by good metalled road to a railway station. From ionformation received, there is no doubt that there are several men who would become applicants for this land if the opportunity were offered them; therefore we respectfully rcommend that the land in question bo offered on a renewable lease tenure.” INSTRUCTION TO SELL. The instruction to sell is approved on Juno 2nd by the Minister of Lands, Hon. W. P. Massey, the reason given by the Under-Secretary being as follows: “The section consists of land of special value and will he keenly combed for. I have therefore to recommend that it be sold for cash by public auction instead of on renewable lease, as suggested by the Canterbury Land Board?’ This letter is subscribed: “Approved, W-F.M., June 6th, 1913.” , The file was laid on the table of the House by the Hon. W. F. Massey, and referred to the Lands Committee, whidn will inquire into the matter.