SOUTHLAND LAND BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2087, 22 February 1894, Page 5

SOUTHLAND LAND BOARD.

The meeting, held on Tuesday, February 13, was attended by the Chief Commissioner (Mr G. W. Williams), and Messrs Cowan, Kinross, and M'lntyre. Captain Stevens, on behalf of his daughter, applied for a concession similar to thab granted bo the Mackintosh family — namely, that she be exempt from residing on a small grazing run in the Wairaki district. — Granted. Maurice O'Farrell applied for permission to take up sections 1, 8, and 9, block 111, Eastern Bush township. — Granted. Allan Stewart applied for section 18, block 111, New River Hundred * — To be informed that steps would immediately be taken to have the reservation taken off the land. James Grant applied for two years' partial exemption from tesidence on section 78, Wairaki. He explained that if compelled bo reside on bhe area ib would cause greab inconvenience to his family on account of there being nd school near. — Mr Kinross objected to granting the concession on several grounds. He considered it would amount to dummyism and lead to monopoly. — Mr Cowan said he would not consider it a breach of the law to allow the request, taking into consideration the circumstances of the Oase. — The Chief Commissioner said it would be a case of dummyism pllre and simple, and it was finally decided to allow applicant six months to build a residence. Archibald Chisholm applied for a reduction in renb for land he had baken up on perpetual lease in the Forest Hill district, but the board had no power in the matter. A largely-signed petition protesting against the withdrawal from sale of sections in blocks II and VII, Otara district, was received. — It was agreed that the land should be balloted for on February 27, two or three allotmemts bo be reserved for public purposes. The head office notified bhab bhe Minisber for Lands approved of bhe value of bhe timber on section 791, Hokontti, being reduced from £68 5i to £30. Richard Felton applied to take up two additional sections (114 and 115), Waiau, as on the one he at present held he could not make a living for his family, the land being poor. — The application could not be entertained. William Blackmun applied for 100 acres of unsurveyed land to the east of section 192, Forest Hill. — Survey fees to be deposited and laud will be opened for application. An application from James Weir to lease section 14, block XIV, Chatton, was referred to the warden for report. W. H. Thomas applied for section 18, block 11, Obara. — Refused, as ib was intended to reserve the area in order to give an approach to the lake. Adam Fleming inquired if the board would sell sections 1 to 16, 17 to 24, and 41 and 42, block XXI, Chatton Village Settlement.— To be informed that an area up to 10 acres can be taken up under lease in perpetuity. Edward Matthews offered to lease section 1, block 11, and section 3, block 111, Dipbon, at £1 per year. — To bo offered at auction if the county council has no objection. Robert Bates having offered to lease the unoccupied portion of section 5, block IV, Aparima, ib was agreed to submit it to auction at an upseb of 3d per acre. P. Dooley applied for the grazing rights over sections 7, 8, and 9, block IV, Oteramika, at 20s per annum. — Held over for inquiry. Robert Patterson and obhers suggested that a sheep dip site should he reserved in Hodge's Gully, Forest Hill.— Mr M'lntyre said that it was very desirable such reserves should be made in order that settlers might have an opportunity of dipping their sheep at a reasonable cost, and it was decided to bring the question of reserving such sites before the Government. . T. H. Ibbotson applied to acquire the freehold of sections 47 and 48, block XIV, Chatton, held under perpetual lease — Application to be made to the warden, and if his reply is favourable Government to be recommended bo sell. On bhe recommendation of the Ranger it was agreed to recommend the Government to reduce the upset price of unsold sections in block X, Riverton, to £5 per quarter acre.' The Southland and Wallace Counby Councils wroba abating that several Crown selectors were in arrears with their rates, and asking the board to take steps under the acb to have the matter atbended bo.— -Nobice to be served. The following applications were granted: — Transfers : Section 6, block IX, Wendon, from Alexander M'Donald to James Lamb ; section 749, Hokonui, from T. Barrett to Alex. M'Kenzie, jun. To complete purchase : E. T. Home, section 87, block V, Myross Bush ; J. Ballantyne, section 49, block XIV, Chatton ; N. Chatterton, sectiou 21, block XXV, East Gore; F. T. Wallis, section 7, block VI, Lindhurst. Cash land : G. R. Ogle, section 1, block V, Paterson ; C. H. J. Clare, section 65, block V, Campbelltown Hundred. Occupation with right of purchase : John Davies, section 115, Waiau ; S. F. H. Thoresby, seobions 10 and 11, block I, Waikawa ; D. F. B. Rowley, section 19, block I, Waikawa ; William Jack, sections 4 to 8, and 12 and 13, block I, Waikawa. Lease in perpetuity : Henry George, section 14, block V, Makarewa Village; William Low, sections 114, 115, and 116, block XX, Invercargill Hundred ; R. W. Robson, section 40, block VII, Waikawa ; and George Campbell, sections 84, 89, and 90, block 111, Seaward Bush township. The Caief Commissioner stated with reference to the reserve for forest preservation at Forest Hill that there was a large area of land beyond Otapiri very suitable for settlement, and for which there was a considerable demand. He had instructed the surveyor to visit bhe locality and b gin bho work of laying off sections. Some small patches were held under grazing rights, and notice would be sent to the occupants that the land would be required for settlement.