OTAGO LAND BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16953, 15 March 1917, Page 6

OTAGO LAND BOARD.

At yesterday's sitting of the Gtago I*and Board the following members were present: Messrs R. T. Sadd (chjiirnwA). T. A. Jlumo, C». Livingstone, Juines Smith, and C. J. Inder.

Applications to transfer wore dealt with as follow: —Run 261.L, Poolburn, 3320 acres —Bridget O'Connor (nee Flannerv) to Messrs L eter and Michael PI armory.—Adjourned for ono month. Run 345 Di Vincent, 18,250 acres—Mr Robert Scott to Hilda E. Kain.— rhis application was resubmitted for further consideration. The board had taken into consideration tho question of aggregation, as set out in a memo, on February 19 and recommended tho transfer of both runs for the Minister's approval, in terms of section 231 of tho Land Act. Run 345 A, Vincent, 17,800 acres—Mr George Scott to Ben Nevis lasto.ral Company.—This application was resubmitted for further consideration, and was recommended lor approval. Run 261N, Poolburn, 5900 acres—Mr Charles Harrcx to Mr Rowland Watson Harrex.—Recommended for approval. Sections 23 and 24, Janefield Settlement, 6 acres—Mr Chas. Hiorns to Mr Walker Horner. —Approved. Section 16, block IX, Maruwenua, 50 acres 3 roods 23 poles—Mr Win. Carling to Mr Leonard Cecil Lory.—Approved, provided certificate was in accordance with tho provisions of tho Military Service Act. An application was made by Mr F. W. Carmichael to transfer section 40, block 1, Naseby, to Mr Wm. David Moore. —Consent was withdrawn.

A memo, was received from tho Undersecretary of Lands regarding the subdivision of pastoral runs and other lands to bo opened for selection.—lt was resolved that tha board was quite in aocord with the administrative policy of the Acting Minister of Lands in that all runs declared capable of subdivision should, before tho expiration of their current leases, be offered on temporary leases to tho i present lessees until tho termination of the war, and that no lands suitable for separate occupation bo opened for general selection unless for very special reasons until the end of the war. The Undor-socretary of Lands advised that sections 1, 2, and 3, block -VII, Teviot, were to be subdivided and offered to tho public.—Matter left in tho hands of the commissioner to reply, with a view to declaring tho board's opinion, and grant an extension of the licenso now held, subject to the right to determine it on ono month's notice. In\ regard to the disposal of tho subdivisions! of the Downs run, it was decided that tho following clauso be added to the conditions under which the ballot will be held: "Any eligible person may apply for the sections, but the board will give preference at the ballot to tho applications of soldiers, either discharged or on active service." The linger submitted a report upon the application of Mr Thomas Chapman for a grazing licenso over the portioji of tho map " reserves at tho - junction of Rankleburn with Pomahaka River .that was not occupied by the Acclimatisation Society.— Declined.

Mr S. o'llara applied to withdraw his application for an occupation lease over an estimated area of 23 ocrea in block 11, St. Bathans, aud substituted an application for a grazing license over the same area. —A year-to-year license to be granted at an annual rental to be fixed on report from ranger.

Mr Thomas 11. Jones applied for a grazing license over' a small piece of land to the north of and adjoining section 21, block VI Bender district. —Area to be added to grazing license- already held by applicant (m.l. 2643], and that the rental of the license be increased from 10s to £1 a year from March 8, 1917. Mr George Westwood applied to occupy for grazing purposes part of the reservo opposite section hi, block VIII, Dunedin and East Taieri district.—License from vear to year to be granted over the area shown on sketch supplied by the ranger; rental, 5s per annum.

An application by the Tuapeka County Council to reserve one acre or more of section 106, block 111, Benger, as a camping ground reserve for county horse teams, was declined, but the council is to be offered a year-to-year license for grazing at a nominal rental.

A year-tp-year license is to be granted to Mr A. Macaulay over the reserved area at Awamoho, Steward Settlement, at £7 10s per annum from January 20. A year-to-year license will bo granted to Mr John King over the resumed .area in sections 2a and 7a, block I, ■■ Awamoko, at £6 12s 6d per annum, Jis from January The land in block I, Beaumont district, provisionally granted on' the occupation lease system, to Mr John M'Ooombe, is to bo finally granted at a capital value of £7 10s per acre and a rental of 7s 6d per acre per annum.

The land in block XI, Leaning Rock district, provisionally granted for cash to Mr 'Frederick T. D. Jeffery, is to be finally granted, "and the capital value fixed at £1 per acre.

The Factor of the Otago Presbyterian Church Board of Property applied to purchase, as a site for a church at Lowburn Ferry, an estimated area of two acres of unsurveyed land on ran. 245e, in block 111, Cromwell district. Mr James Wood,' the holder of the run, applied to surrender from his pastoral license tho area applied for.— The Governor to be recommended to authorise the commissioner to accept surrender from the pastoral license of the area applied for, and the application of the Church Board to purchase to be granted, subject to the Minister's consent, at a capital value of £1 per acre, in addition to the cost of survey.'

An application was made, by Mr C. Reid to have an additional area of one acre added to his present license.—lncense to be amended to include the additional area, and the rent to; be increased by 5s from February 11. Grazing rights for lots 559 and 560, Benmoro soldiers' block, area 1025 acres, wero granted to Messrs M'Creary and JCerr, from month to month.

An application by tho Electric Gold Dredging Company to purchase two acres in block I, Cromwell S.D., was recommended for approval, _ provided the commissioner was satisfied in regard to the ranger's report and valuation when received.

The Ranger reported that Mrs Davidson had fenced more of the reserve opposite section 47, _ block VIII, Dunedin and East Taieri district, than was shown on her grazing license.—Area shown on ranger's sketch to be added to the license, and the annual rental increased to 10s as from November 22, 1916.

_Mr James Whyto applied for a grazing license from month to month over lots 557 and 558, Benmore soldiers' block. —Granted from month to month at the rate of 6d per acre per' annum.

The following applications for the purchase of freehold were dealt with:—Section 27, block V, Table Hill, 45 acres 1 rood 20 poles—Margaret Flett. Application for issue of title in namo of the Public Trustee as administrator.—Approved. Section 26, block VII, Woodland, 101 acres 1 rood—Mr Thomas Bates, jun.—Approved. Mr John S. Adams applied, for a renewal of occupation lease over section 104. block IX, Maruwenua district.—Granted; Ranger Atkinson to bo appraiser. Cecilia Smith applied for a renewal of her occupation lease over section 66, block IX, Maruwenua district. — Granted; Ranger Atkinson to be appraiser. Mrs Mary Young- applied for a renewal of 'occupation lease over section 67, block VI, Tuapeka West.—Granted; Ranger O'Neill to be appraiser. Mr F. W. Blanchard applied for a renewal of his occupation lease over section 85, block IX,_ Maruwenua district.—Granted; Ranger Atkinson to be appraiser. The board was asked to confirm tho amount of annual rent for new term as fixed by tho Crown lands ranger on section la, block X, "Waipori district; Mr Robert Smith licensee. —Approved. I Mr John Christian applied for a renewal of occupation lease over section 125. block IX. Maruwenua district. —Granted; Ranger Atkinson to be appraiser. Mr Geo. W. Provan applied for a renewal of occupation lease over section 54, ,1 : block I, Naseby district.—Granted; Ranger I O'Neill to be appraiserProposals for expenditure of " thirds " and "fourths" wero made as follows:—Bruce County Council, £4 19s 2d; Southland County Council, £3 6s 6d; Waikouaiti County Council, £31552 d ; Lake County Council. £16 0s 7d; Tuapoka County Council, £38 3s sd; Waitaki County Council, £58 5s 3d; Waihemo County Council, £11 4s 8d; Taieri County Council, £22 16s 6d. Proposals were made by the Maniototo County Council for the expenditure of "thirds" and "fourths" amounting to £135 12s 3d. The department suggested that tho bridges proposed were not necessary except for motor car traffic, and would not benefit tho small holdings.—Approved, as the bridges are also used for stock and light wheel traffic!

The_ valuation of land at Little Valley comprised in agreement between the Crown and tho Alexandra Development Company was adopted, the company to pay value of fencing, estimated at £126 13s, subject to 00-rection on survey. The Department of Agriculture desired that an area of one acre be set aside for department purposes out of 888 acres at Little Valley, locality to be arranged.— Approved. Mr G. G. Wood house (deceased) was tho lessee of allotment sa. Waitahuna No. 2 Settlement, and tho Public Trustee asked

that the lcaso be issued to Emily Josephine Woodhouso.—Approved on production of memorandum o£ transfer. I A lieenso for llax-cutting on Tuapeka Commonage is to be issued to John Brooks, li vans 1' lat, lit 4s per ton for 12 months. cit! P' J^;i ' lnloro applied to surrender section 97, block VILI, Glenomatu.—Accepted aa from June 30.

In regard to the control of tho Waitaki Islands, Papakaio, licenses arc to be issued for tho upper part to the following persona ut a rental of ,£4 from March 1 to JJcccmnv C : —Messrs John King, Jacob Seyb, Ihomus Williams, James Wilson, Forbes lhompson. Wallace. Licenses for the lower portion will bo issued to tho following at a rental of £5 from January 1 to December -—Messrs David Williams, Walter Belsher, jun., William Lister, John Coxsha.ll, and John Wright. With reference to tho disposal of valuation for improvements, run 308 m, Puketoi, 3985 acres, formerly held by Mr John M'Lean, tho board recommended that payment of £159, less usual deductions, bo inade to Mr M'Lean.

Tho cancellation of the license to occupy section 83 (VI), Glenomaru, was rescinded. Tho board considered the improvements on section 9a, Taumata Settlement by Mr F. J. Gent, and referred the matter back to tho ranger for certificate that the improvements were sufficient.

An application by tho executrix in tho estate of Mr Richard Dawson (deceased) to have tho channel of a " dry race " left open through the area allotted to William John Phillips, section 10, block IH, Fraser, and that it bo exempted from the grant, was held over for personal inspection by the commissioner.

.Mr J. Cowie Nichols applied for reconsideration of his proposal regarding tho exohange of outlying freehold on Mount Pisa run.—Exchange recommended for Governor's approval. , Mrs S. Lewis offered to surrender section 64 (IX), Leaning Rook, in consideration of her husband receiving sections 36 and part section 34 (VIII), on renewable lease.— Surrender approved, with right to remove fencing on section 64.