LAND BOARD.

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

LAND BOARD.

The weekly meeting of the Land Board, held on Wednesday, was attended by Messrs J. PMaitland (Chief Commissioner), A. M'Kerrow, H. Clark, J. Duncan, and W. Dallas.

Maerewhenua. — Mr A. G. Sutherland requested that he be allowed time for the removal of his crop in the event of his not egain obtaining small grazing ruD, section 2, block XVI, Maerewhenua district.— To be allowed one month from date of sale for removal of crop. Shotover. — Ranger Mackenzie forwarded and recommended an application from Mr David Brodie for a lease of 43 acres of mining reserve, lying between sections 40 and 41, block VIII, Shotover district. — It was decided to grant a yearly license under section 116 of the act, for grazing purposes, at £1 per annum, with license fee, £1 Is. GLENOMARtf.— Mr Joseph Grenfield applied for a lease of section 31, block VII, Glenomaru district (Quarry Reserve).— The application was declined. Woodland.— Mr James Christia applied tor rural land section 19, block V, Woodland district, on the occupation system, with right to purchase. — Approved. Teaneraki.— Mr John Crawford applied tor village settlement land, lot 31, Teaneraki, on lease in perpetuity.— Approved. Tuapeka and Lanmerlaw. — Mr Samuel Henry applied to be allowed to surrender pastoral runs No. 2, Tuapeka depasturing district, and No. 353 c, Lammerlaw.— lt was resolved to recommend the Governor to authorise the commissioukr of Crown lands to accept surrender of the' runa in question, the lessee nob being in a position to continue to pay rents. Hamiltons and Sowbuun.— The following memo, was received from the Under-secretary for Lands in reply to a letter from the chitf commioßioner : — " I am directed by the Minister for Lands to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of Ist inst., covering a petition from the settlers at Hamiltons and Sowburn, asking that Runs 204 and 204 a, known as Hamiltons, be relet for a further term in their present state. The Minister has given the matter due consideration, and regrets that ho is compelled to differ from the views of the petitioners as to the necessity for land being thrown open tor settlement in that district. Continual applications aro being made for more land for settlement in Otago Central, and even if the residents at Hamiltoas and Sowburn do not require land themselves individually, there are many people in Otago who are most anxious to get land to settle upon. The Minister would point out that the residents who signed the petition must be labouring under a misapprehension when they state they aro satisfied with the priviliges now granted to them. If the request of the petitioners were given effect to and the ruuß re-leased for a further term, this would have to be done by public auction, and in the ease of a new purchaser, he would not in any way be bound to give affect to any privileges that the present lesses may have agreed to grant to the residents. The Minister would further point out that these runs are the Crown lands of the colony, the property of the people, and not that of the residents of the district ; and, so long as there is a demand for land by the people generally as well as by these residing in the locality, they have equally the right of an opportunity to acquire it. On these grounds the Minister haß decided to adhere to his previous decision in connection with these runs," — The memo, was minuted as noted. Wanaka. — Mr T. Chalmer, on behalf of Mesdames M'Leod and Muir, applied for permission to surrender pastoral Runs 239, 338b, and 338 c, known as the Forks Run, Wanaka.— Consideration of the matter waß deferred for a fortnight for further consideration. Kakanui. — A memo, was received from the Under-secretary for Lands requesting further information in regard to Mr John Porter's application for permission to surrender small grazing run, lot 4, Kakanui district. — Consideration of the matter was adjourned for a fortnight for further information.

Waihemo County. — The Waihemo County Council forwarded plans and statements showing proposed expenditure of "thirds" and ••fourths" accrued during the period from July 31 to October 28, 1893.— The road lines were approved. The Board adjourned to Wednesday, the 28th inst., at 2 p.m.