SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9978, 21 February 1894, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.

» ■ ' The monthly meeting of the School Comm sioners was held; yesterday, and attended ' Messrs J. P. Maitland (chairman), J. Walk Bain, W. Dalla", J. Green, M.H.R., and . Baldey. JtEPORT OP COMMITTEE. ' ; ■The committee deputed by the commission visit the Wendon; Wendonside, and Waika districts and to inspect runs', the leases of whii shortly fall in, gave in the following report :— " Your committee has now the honourto repo as follows, after a personal inspection, on tl various matters submitted for its consider tion:—^ "1. Your committee is divided in opinion as i the subdivision of sections 1, 2, and 3 of 4 Wairaki, and must leave the matter to be settle at the meeting of the full board. ."2. Your.committee cannot recommend tha Mr Bisstfan's request for ail extension of his leas till March 1895 should ha granted, but woul suggest that an arrangement be made for 11 Basstian to occupy sections 1 and 2 until the 31s December next, the same concession to be off ere to Mr Spencer, the occupier of section 3 of 4? on condition that both parties agree to a surveyo going- on the land during their occupancj Including the unexpired term of their leases, fo the purpose of subdividing it as directed by th Commissioners! rent to be charged for th extended time at the same rate as under th leases.- ---' "3. In regardjto run 32f>, your committee ha to report tKat a very general wish was expressei by the settlers in the neighbourhood that the rui should not be subdivided until the commissioner h\ave obtained the legal' authority to limit th fcrea h&d by toe individual. lii the nieantimi irour Committee would suggest that Mr Gillander, he offered tho right of occupation for one year expiring on the 2Sth February 1895, at the sami rent as is being paid at present; the right bein/ reserved to allow a surveyor to go on to the rui for thepurpose of its being subdivided. "4.'Your committee is of opinion that then had been no recent cropping on run 326, bul tfegrets that some of the land'on run 19-t which hid been cropped had been neglected, and is now overgrown with weeds. • "5. As to Mr A. H. Aitken's application to lease 400 or 500 acres on run 326, your committee would ■recommend that Mr Aitken be informed that the commissioners cannot comply with bis request. • "6. As there seems to..nave:.beena:misunderstanding as to the bidding at the sale for section 1, block IV,.Wendonside, your committee recommends that the lease to Mr Wilson Hall be cancelled, and the sections reoffered at tho first sale. "7. The question as to the length of leases was discussed with the settlers at different places by your committee. - There seemed to be a general opinion that long leases, say for 21 years, were preferable to leases for 14 years. "8. Your committee would recommend that the mining reserve at the Kob Roy diggings be let en a Erasing lease from year to year, all rights of mining to be reserved. "9. The tenant of section 1, block V, Wendon"side, brought under the notice of your committee the enoroaebiilents of the river,o,n his land. Your tonimittee woiild suggest.that the engineer to the Southland county bo asked to report as to the iiest means of confining the river in its channel at this particular place." The Chairjhn expressed a wish that, as he had not h^d tho opportunity of inspecting the land, the other members would give their views. Mr Green said he was of opinion that the commissioners should first determine whether the country now held under lease by Messrs Basstian and Spencer in the Wairaki district was solely pastoral, and should be occupied solely as such There being a difference of opinion among the members of the committee on that subject, he might as well at once say that he considered there was enough agricultural land to admit of 10 farms, and enough winter country left for the successful occupation of the higher country as one run, if there was a demand for farms under the existing state of the railway communication. Although some of his colleagues would persist in considerinE there was railway communication to and from Mossburn, he must remind the commissioners that trains only ran on that line two days a week—on Mondays and Saturdays. If that lins wa3 used daily, or extended to Hamilton Burn, as was at one time proposed, then he would most certainly say that agricultural farms should at once be surveyed and opened for application, but without better access to market than at present existed, he was of opinion that the three runs should be subdivided into four runs and relet for five or seven years, in hopes that by that time there would be improved means of communication by rail, and that the low-lying land would at the end of the proposed new term be used for its legitimate purpose of agriculture, and that only the high land would be let for pastoral pursuits, and that in one run. Mr Baldky said that with regard to runs 1 and 8, at preaent occupied by Mr Basstian, and comprising 14,500 acres, he considered that the country was well adapted— a portion for agricultural purposes and a portion also for small grazing.runs; and he thought from observation that.a certain amount of flat country, which would be suitable for agriculture, could be taken in with the hilly country. He was of opinion that the whole country, including Mr Spencer's run, should he cut up into eight subdivisions, and that would give to each a fair proportion of hilly country, some of which was very poor With respect to Mr Spencer's run of 10,780 acres, he thought that tho country was considerably batter even than the country held by Mr Basstian, which it adjoined, for there was some excellent land on tne flat, and most of the ridges, though they \Vere not very good bo fat as natural pasture was concerned, were very passable. He noticed on Mr Spencar's run that a portion of the lower flat next the river was exceedingly, good land—he imagined rich land. If they managed to cat up the country so that each run would have a portion of the flat and a portion of the hilly country his idea was that it would be a success. Supposing the trountry was cut up Into eight runs, that would give an average of 3000 acres for each. So far as - the means of communication went, there was very little country ia Southlund now to be taken up where there'was so much convenience; forif they took the country as ft whole, from Mossburn to Nightcaps, there were two railways—the extreme end of Mr Basstian's run was 14 miles from Mossburn, and Mr Spencer's run was 12 miles from Kightcap3, and supposing that the settlers gave their attention to growing giain they would be within a day's drive from the railway. There was no doubt that the fencing cost a eood deal of money, but there were plenty of people who were willing to cope with that, and who would be only too glad to have country like that thrown open. If the commis--sioners cut this land up into 5000 or 6000-acre blocks it really meant that the runholders would take :.t up again, for these areas would not suit Bmall holders, and if they cut the land up in that way he would suggest that it should be put up in alternate blocks, and that they should not put the whole lot up at one sale. He thought it Was now time that country like that should be thrown open to the public. The Chairman thought that what the commissioners had to aim at was to put the country up in such sized areas as would allow as many jpcrsona as possible to occupy it profitably. If they could only find what areas would allow of profitable occupation, what they should aim at was to put.as many people as possible on it. Mr Dallas quite agreed with Mr Baldey as to tie advisability of subdiyding the country into ■eight runs, which would give an average of 3160 acres to each; but in order that the commissioners wight come to a decision unanimously he had moved in committee that it should be cut up into Bsven runs. The country would carry about one sheop to two acres, and that meant 1500 sheep to a holding if they decided to cut the land up into eight runs; but he considered that some of the country should be put in at a less area than the rest, and that would give perhaps 5000 acres to *ome of the runs ; for when they spoke of subdividing the land into eight runs they did not mean that it should be cut up into equal areas, as the character of the country would have to be taken into consideration—the areas of tho runs might vary from 2500 to over 5000 acres. As to the means of communication, he might point out that a good many runs had been taken up in the Takatimos/which were perhaps three times as far from the railways as the Wairaki country was, and he did not know that there was any country more suitable for cutting up into small holdings than this was. """b° ¥/ tßfi N Ji?* very Rlad that Mr Dallas had admitted that the country took two acres to carry a sheep, for that was a point which the public should know. !«■"<«. Mr Dallas would like to add that if the country were cut up into eight runs there wonld beenoueh fiat land lett in each to enable ample provision to be made for winter feed. Mr Bain said that Mr Spencer's property had been alluded to very pointedly, but, with all the good land on the run to provide for winter feed, Mr Spence was only able to carry a little over 5000 sheep onth« 10,000 acres. He(M?Bain)heldavery strong opinion that the commissioners should provide for all classes of settlers, and that it should not be their purpose or object to reduce everything to the very West level in order to ence. They should give an opportunity to men with experience and capital to take up land, and ?h fi^ountrtfnt for? s4PP°rt.a proposal tod vide the country into six, in which event the larcest when the configuration of the country and the natural boundaries were taken into consideration and even that would only allow 3000 sheen to the holder. Theleastamancoulddowith ifhewiwtn make a living at all, was 3000 sheep KwouW not do the commissioners any good to put people on thejland to drag out a miserable existence, without capital or experience, and without tho means of making a living. The hilly country was no rood unless an opportunity of obtaininc winter feed was given to the holder, and on that ground he thought the maximum into which the country' should be divided was bix runs. That arrangement would give sufficient variety to enable those who took up the country to occupy it successfully and that would give successful settlement, which' was what lie wanted to see. It was not to the interest of the commissioners to induce people to go on to the country in the hope of making a living, undertaking to pay certain rentals which they could not get out of the land. After giving careful consideration to the matter and getting as much information as he could from those who knew the country, and who knew what it was to.carry on sheepfarming there, he had come to the conclusion that it would not be wise on their part to subdivide the runs into any smaller number than Bix holdings, the area varying according to the natural configuration of the country. He felt very strongly on the 3ubject, and he did not see his way to accede to Mr-Dallas's proposal that the country should be divided into seven runs, for he thought the subDOLLAR CIGARETTES, 3d.

!ar divisions would ii« too smail for successful sett 3tin, nlent; whereas if tho country was tut iip Into _f 'ins, run's they would have an opportunity of getti aier- tji** land divided in' Such a way that. those .w yth; took it up would be able to do' ffoo'd for thei mis, selves, and that they woiild not take it.Up H t —R. expectation of .coming, to the pommissione ~ by-and-bye for. a reduction of their rent. X is v. policy erf the commissioners -had .been to fix gui md, a rent as people cov.ld iifford to pay After takii and every care to make all the inquiries ho rovld, i leu, had come to the conclusion that tho maximu ws; subdivision should be six runs. He wou ■tail strongly urge the employment of a thorough Gil- competent man to go carefully over the countr lor- and advise the commissioners aB to how it shou be divided for profitable occupation. He wou ihi- move that Mr James Blackie be asked to make He: survey of'the'country. If. This Chairman suggested'that tile 3ufvey< 18. should be asked to give ah alternative sclieiiie i J. Survey, for six or for eight rims. . fi. Mr Dallas thought it would be advisable \ mv give the surveyor to understand th%t the rut [E; need not be of the. srinie size, but that the are; ,G. Jfiißht vary according to the character' of th country and the natural boundaries'. . ' _,It was resolved on the .motion of Mr Bin seconded by, Mr, DXi.tAf- "-That ...Mr Jjimt Slackie; surveyor, be employed to inspect runß ! 2, and'Sof 44; Wairaki, and submit'to thereon: missioners alternative schemes of subdivisian 0 lis- J" c country into from six to eight runs, rangin . rrpm 2500' acres upwards, taking into consideratio * the natural boundaries, the carrying capacity c ser the country, and as far as possible ths utilisatioi A. of existing fences, with any suggestions an remarks he may think fit to report." The remaining paragraphs of the report elicltei t 0 no discussion, excepting that on the third claus ua Mr Dallas suggested, and it was agreed, that i oh should be a condition oMhe extension granted fr ilx Gillanderß that no cropping should take plac< )r t during the extended term, and the variou he recommendations made, by the .committee wen ra- approved. ■ SOtTIILAXD AOENt'S itfiPOltf; to The Southland agent, Mr JL. M'Donald (j forwarded his monthly report. He stated thai et J the led.se df section 9, block X, Wyndhanl expired on the 23rd Juno next, and that Mr A a t Robinson, the tenant, was willing to terminate il se on tha ,30th- April if the commissioriers allowed Id him three month's' rent.—lt was agreed to comply f r with the condition. s t It was reported also that Mr N. M'Leod, lessee .4 of section 14, block LIII, Invercargill, agreed to 4 terminate his leasa on the 30th April. ,r The agent suggested that the commissioners cut jr. a large ditch through section 6, block IX, Waij r kaia.(abdut TO chains at, saw 12s per chain), and i e it .was resolved to inform the adjoining latldle holders that it was intended ;to cut the ditch fot 19 the purpose of draining the section, and 'to asK them if they had any objection. ls The agent forwarded a list of sections which, he d suggested, could be offered for lease at an early n date. Ho reconimended; also, that the sale rs should be held at Riversdale abdut the end ,of 3 March next, possession being, given on the Ist [ c May; and that the areas subject to tlie Mining • s Act be let conditionally on the consent of the r Governor being obtained.—lt was agreed that the c sections should be offered at Riversdale at the end . of March as suggested for 21 years' leases, and that n the agent should submit the upset prices to Messrs Bain and Baldey for approval: c The agent recommended that Mr John M'Kint nell, jun., lessee of the reserve opposite sections 9 d and 10,-block X, Waikaia, be allowed to surrender, 7 and that the land be reoffered at the first sale.— The recommendation was adopted, the surrender 3 to be as from the 30th Ap:il, and that the up3et j price-be submitted for approval by Me3srsßain 3 and Baldey. ■ • It was suggested that the sections in the town- . ship of Marakura be offered for lease at the first ! sale in Inveicargill at reduced upsets, and that . the sections occupied by Messrs Duncan, Crosbie, . and Dore be offered at the same time.—The sug- _ gestion was approved of so far as the sections j .occupiod by Messrs Duncan, Crosbie, and Dore , are concerned, and it was agreed that these should [ be offered to the occupants at a yearly rent 0 , jCI, and that, when offered for permanent lease, they should be burdened with valuation. It was . decided to offer no other sections in the meantimo, 1 Mr Dallas and other commissioners expressing , the opinion tllat it Was not advisable td force land in the township' on the market. The agent reported that he Had offered the , grazing right of section 3, block 111, Wyndham . district, to several of the settlers in the neighbourhood, but that he had not yet received an offer for it.—lt was decided to offer the right, at an' upset to be determined by Messrs Bain and Baldey, for a term of 14 years at flrat sale. An application was 'forwarded from Mr S. M'Dowell, lessee of section 7, block IX, Waikaia district, for a reduction of his rent, and tho agent recommended the acceptance of the surrender on certain conditions.—lt was decided to inform Mr M'Dowell that the commissioners could not entertain his application until he had paid up all arrears of rent. A recommendation that sections 5 and 6, block 111, Wendonside, should be grouped was approved, and it was resolved that section 1!) in the same block should be grouped with section 16. A list was forwarded of tenants whose rent was more than half a year in arrear, and the agent was instructed to take legal proceedings in these cases. ■CONDITIONS OP PASTORAL LEASES. Mr Baldev desired to move—" That in view of having the conditions contained in all leases of pastoral land carried out, the Southland agent, Mr M'Donald, be asked to make an annual report to the commissioners, say in the month of March in each year, dealing with any infringements of such conditions, and that a special condition be inserted in all new leases, strictly pastoral, disallowing cropping." The question of cropping had, he said, caused some little unpleasantness of late. The CilAiftMAN remarked that any right of dropping was now specially excluded in leases. Mr Bain thought that notice should be given of the motion. Mr Baldey said he was only asking for a statement, and he thought the motion should be taken at that meeting, so that they might have Mr M Donald's report next month. Mr Bain said lit was a debatable question, and he thought, therefore, that notice should be given of the motion. Mr Bildey had not intimated to anyone that he intended to move in the matter. Mr Baldev : You would have been the first, Mr Bain, to blame me if I had given intimation to anyone. \ Mr Bain : I would be.the last. Mr Green pointed out that their lessees must grow winter feed, and they could not be stopped from growing grain to poison the rabbits. Mr Baldev then gavo notice of the motion for the next meeting, altering the word "March "in it to "April." MISCELLANEOUS. An application from the Inchclutha River Board for permission to cut a drain through sections!), 10,11, and 12. block 11, Inchclutha, was granted, the tenant (Mr Rutherford) concurring in the request. Mr Henry Clark reported valuing the improvements on .section IS, block VIII, Fairfax, at £2 153, and Mrs Burke wrote asking the commissioners to put a charge of .£3 in her favour.—lt was decided td re-offer the section, with valuation of £Z )5s for improvements, in favour of Mrs Burke. The Secretary of the Southland Education Board forwarded an application to have section 10, block XIII, Town of Invercargill, vested in the board as a site for public school purposes.— The application was graDted. A letter from the Southland County Council asking if the commissioners were prepared to pay half tie cost of acquiring a road along the south boundaries of sections 11,12,13, and 14 of 40JA; Hokonui, to give access to section 14 of 4041, was referred to the Southland agent for a report. It was agreed to offer Mr T. Brddrick a tenancy from year to year of the section occupied by him at Marakura at a rental of £2; valuation for improvements to lie added by arbitration when it should be decided to offer the section for a term of years. . . Mr James Oliver's application for a yearly tenancy of section 6, block XX, Lawrence, at a rental of 53, was granted. On the recommendation of Mr Dallas, it was decided to ask the Clutha County Council to close the block road at the end of section 9, block XVII, Clutha, the commissioners paying any expenses incurred by the council. The commissioners gave their consent to certain sub-leases being executed. Accounts amounting to £73 63 Id were passed for payment. •