OTAGO SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1956, 20 August 1891, Page 11

OTAGO SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.

The monthly meeting of the Obago Sohool Commissioners was held on Tuesday, when there were present — Messrs J.F. Maitland (chairman), J. Walker Bain, T. Denniston, and J. Green.

A report was received from Mr Bain, who stated that he had attended a meeting of about 50 settlers at Riversdale on the 10th insfc., for the purpose of ascertaining the views of those interested in tbe opening up of a block on run 104 for settlement, and a resolution was passed to tbe effect that the land should be thrown open under the provisions of the Land Act on deferred payment, on perpetual lease, and for cash ; so as to prevent the land from being taken up by monopolists. The advisability of irrigating the run was also pointed out. A petition from settlers asking that the block referred to by Mr Bain, in his report, should be opened up was also read ; likewise a recommendation from Mr J. L. M'Donald,

The Commissioners resolved to ascertain the probable cost of obtaining a supply of water for irrigating the terrace portion of the land in question with the view of having the land irrigated before offering it for settlement. It was decided to accept the surrender of lease of part of sections 44 and 45, block IV, Akatore, and to re-offer the land for lease for 14 years at an upset price of 3s 6d per acre. Mr J. L. M'Donald forwarded an application from Mr J. M'Kinnell, lessee of reserve opposite sections 3, 9, and 10, block X, Waikaia district, and reported on the same.— The commissioners could not see their way to reduce the rents, but were willing to accept surrender, and reoffer the run at the upset price of 63 per acre for 14 years. Mr B. Earl applied for a lease for a coal area over 10 acres or more of run 193, Wendon. — It was decided to grant the applicant tbe right to mine over the area applied for for one year, at a rental of £1 per acre, the commissioners having no power to do more without putting the laud up at auction.

A special report was received from Mr J. L. M'Donald with regard to the alleged cropping of runs held by Mr D. Gjllanders.— lt was decided that Mr Gillanders be informed that in bis lease of run 194 he has no right to cultivate without the consent of the commissioners, and that information bad been received that he had taken a crop aver a portion of the run without consent, thereby rendering himself liable to forfeiture of the lease.

The secretary was instructed to prepare a list of perpetual lease and deferred payments entered into, in terms of a resolution of May 20, 1890 ; and to pay over one-quarter of the firsi year's rents to tbe Southland Oonnty Couucil, in terms of clause 246 of the Land Act, for expenditure on road construction.

The , Chairman read a report, which be had forwarded to the Surveyor-general, on a petition sent to the House of Representatives by settler? in Waikaiaand surrounding districts complaining of the administration of primary education reserves by the commissioners. — The report was approved as expressing the views of tbe commissioners in connection with the matter.

Accounts amounting to £41 8s 2d were passed for payment.