Otago School Commissioners.

Otago Witness, Issue 1778, 19 December 1885, Page 14

Otago School Commissioners.

The monthly meeting of the School Commissioners of Otago was held on Tuesday afternoon. Present: Mr' J. P. Maitland (chairman), the Hon. Dr Menzies, the Hon. W. H. Reynolds, Messrs A. C. Begg and W. H. Pearson.

A letter -was received from the secretary to the Land Board of Otago forwarding a list of perpetual lessees over three half-years in arrears bf'renjb, and asking for suggestions as to the action to be tok^p for the recovery of the rent. — Mr Begg moved^V Thpp a reply be sent to the effect that ,thesa lands we're djealjb with under this system against the wishes and opinion^ pf the commissioners and at the urgent request of the Minister of Lands ; that the commissioners have time after time put on record their opinion that the system is not a Uesirable one to adopt in dealing with the school endowments; that ■these representations _ have been persistently .ignore^ and overruled ( by the Minister for Lands; that fclje commissioners' opinions are now being fully ju^t^ed by results— viz;, that the tenants are getting ho^ejlessly into arrears

with their rents, and that consequently the endowments are suffering from improper cultivation. Under these ' circumstances the'commissioners can only advise the board to take such slups as will secure on the part of tenants Hi" fulfilment of the conditions of their »v.a->es." — The motion was not seconded. — It was then moved by the Hon. Dr Menzies and carried — " That as the administration of these lands is now in the Land Board, the commissioners have no suggestions to make." The motion was seconded by the Hon. W. H. Reynolds.

Mr W. L. Simpson wrote on behalf of r Mr Ibbotson, lessee of run 193, Hindon, stating that parties are mining for coal and cutting timber on the run without authority, and are thereby disturbing his sheep.— Referred to the ranger for report. A petition was received from residents near the Pyramids asking that part of run 193 be opened for coal-mining purposes. — Referred to the ranger for report. It was decided to offer section 3 of 240, Hokonui, for lease at the first sale.

It was resolved to withdraw runs 301b and 301 c, Te Anau, from sale. They had been advertised for sale on Thursday next.