WASTE LAND BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 367, 11 December 1858, Page 5

WASTE LAND BOARD.

This Board met on Tuesday. Present — alt" the Commissioners except Mr. Logic. Mr. T. B. Gillies applied that a certificate which he handed in should be held sufficient evidence of the stocking of Runs 239 and 240, which were too distant for the examination of any two stockowners, as required by the resolution of the Board ; and on the proposition of Mr. M'Glashan, it was agreed that the whole of the members examine the maps, and consider the matter.

Mr. Cambre applied for a license for Run 225, he having the number of stock which Mr. Cutten had stated to be necessary.

Referred to Mr. Logic for a report. Mr. W. H. Pearson made a representation to the Board as to the resolution which had been passed, requesting him to confine himself to the routine of his office. He had not so understood his duties, which he had supposed to include the making representation of any matters connected with the public interest. He had received letters from tha Superintendent, requesting him to make known any grievances complained of, and he had done to through the department. The inhabitants of the district looked upon the resolution as a vote of censure upon his conduct.

Mr. Thomson said that, as Government officers, they should take no notice of the opinion of any district.

After some discussion, a resolution was agreed to, to the effect that Mr. Pearson was justified by his previous instructions in the coune he had adopted, but that henceforth the resolution of the Board must be adhered to.

Mr. J. Jones appealed against the imposition of an assessment upon a supposed increase of stock. He had at first placed more on the run than were required, and there was not acreage to carry the increase upon that number, as there was not the extent of country stated, and a large portion of it was used for the purposes of traffic.

Mr. Thomson said Mr. Jones might employ a private surveyor to ascertain the extent of his run.

Mr. Jones thought that was the duty of the Chiaf Surveyor.

Mr. Reynolds applied, on behalf of his brother, for a small run of 3000 acres, adjoining one held by him, a license for which had been granted by Sir G. Grey to a native, who had never stocked it-

A transfer from the native to* Mr. Reynolds wa» recommended.

The minutes of the 30th ult. having been read, Mr. Logic gave in the following note as to the casd of Mr. Bell and Messrs. Davy and Bowler: —

" I beg to state, that not being present at the previous meeting referred to by the Chief Surveyor, I was entirely ignorant of the former decision. I did not know that the case had been brought formally before the Board, except so far as a memorandum being produced as having been sanctioned by the Chief Commissioner, and which I was informed had reference to the Run of Mr. F, D. Bell, but the proceeding of the Chief Commissioner being considered irregular, the Board declined to go into the case at that time. As regards overturning a former decision of the Board, I regret that that should have been done in the absence of any of the members ; but at the same time I venture to suggest, if a decision is to be considered final, it should be with the sanction of the whole Board." The Board adjourned till next day at 10 o'clock.

Wednesday, December 8.

The Board having met, the case of Messrs. Maude and Freeland was considered, and it was agreed to defer decision as to Run 239 until the boundary line was fixed. As to Run 240, the certificate was unsatisfactory, as not showing the number of the stock on eacli run, aud as not being in proper form.

Mr. Gillies, for the parties, stated he was prepared to prove that the Run was stocked, and would resist any attempt as to declaring the run abandoned.

Mr. Raymond's letter \va3 again considered, when it was agreed that there being no evidence in support of his statements, and that he had held the run for 2 years unstocked, which, if still unstocked, was liable to be held abandoned.

With reference to his other letter ai to the run of Messrs. Howell and Stevens, there was no evidence authorising him to act as thejr agent. The Board then adjourned.