SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS OF OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 2179, 28 November 1895, Page 30

SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS OF OTAGO.

The usual monthly meeting of the commissioners was held on Tuesday, when there were present — Messrs J. F. Maitland (chairman), W. Dallas, A, Baldey, Green, and J. Walker Bain. Mr J. L. M'Donald, the Southland agent, was present by invitation to advise the commissioners re tbe surrender of runs 193, 254b,, 202, aud 175b, Waikaia district. After hearing report from Mr B ildey (the secretary) and Mr J. L. M Donald on the above-mentioned runs, the couorni;-si oners considered an application from the tennnb, Mr F. W. Ibbotsoji, to be allowed to surrender his leases, and .also for a reduction of rent of stctions in the Wendon district, as well as an offer to sell four pre-emptive-right sections on the ruus. — It was resolvtd that Mr ILbotson be informed that ths commissioners will accept suriender of runs 175b, 193, 202, and 254b as st 18th March next, on condition that Mr Ibbotson agrees to continue the present arrangements for the destruction of rabbits until the 18th March next ; that no reduction can be made in the rents of eccUons ; that £1 per acre be offered for the pre-emptive rights held by Mr Ibbotson, and that Mr Blaikie, surveyor, be employed by the commiesionera to inspect the aforesaid runs, and advise as to what area of land can be judiciously deducted from the ruus for the purpose of being thrown open tor agricultural settlement. Mr Blaikie to send in bis report before tbe next meeting of commissioners — Mr Green could not 3gree with the motion, and desired that his dissent should be recorded, his opinion being that the surrender of tho lease of the ecctions should bd insisted upon. A report and recommendation was recdivad from the Southland agerit to the effect that sectioDS 19 and 20, block VII, Waikaia, r.ontair.-t-uoing 320 acres', 15 and 16, block VII, Waikitia, containing 349 acres lr 22 0, and 43, block VIII, Waikaia, containing 301 acros, be offered for agricultural purposes ; that neitions 1 to 4, block XI, and 39 to 41. block VIII, Waikaia, ba grouped with run 327b, and that the run be let for a term coterminous with run 327 c with a view of grouping these runs together ; that stctions 17 and 18, block VII, be thrown into run 327 c, and that bi cfcions 3 to 5, block XI f, and 33 to 33. blcck VII I, Waikaia, be grouped with run 327 and offered for lease for a term of 14 years as a small grazing run. — The report was received and the suggestions approved, effect to be given to the same. An application was received from the Southland County Council for subsidies amounting to £300 tcward6 construction of roais. — On the recommendation of the Southland agent, ifc was resolved to vote the sum of £235 as a subsidy towards proposed expendituteof £600 on roads, the inon«-y to be handed over on the county engineer's certificate, and after inspection by Mr M'Donald. An application was received from D. Gillanders for some concebsiou in regard to his rents. — The application was declined, on the ground that there wis no evidence b.-fore the commissioners to show that lons of stcck was sustained through the occupation of the land leased from the commissioners. An application from Messrs C. and A. Robertson, of Waikaia, for redueticn of rent was declined. Mr J. L. M'Donald, the commis^ionti'j' Southland a^ent, forwarded the following applications for transfers of lease, which' were agreed to, viz: — W. Todd to Measis J. G. Paterson and J. Todd — lease of seciion 28, block 111, Aparim«; E. Walker to J. W. Walker— lease of suction 20, block XXV, luvercar^iU ; T. Ferris to J. Pollock— s ction 14, block V, Wendonside. Mr M'Donald also forwarded applica'ious from Messrs Helder and Awdry, lessees of s:ction 31, Takitime, aud Gall and Paterson, lessees of sections 8, 9, and 10, block 111, and 69, block I, Waibaia, to be allowed to surrender their leases, or to have a reduction made in their rents. — Iv the former case it was decided to accept surrender, and to refer the applicants to the Land Board for relief under «' The Pastoral Tenants Relief Act 1895 " as tegards their losses of stock. In Mesiis G*!l and Pateivon's case it was agreed that the form of agreement to surrender should be forwarded to them. Mr M'Donald forwarded an application from tho Southland County Coucc-l lor assistance to prect three groins on the north bnnk in the fLod channel at Riv- r^dalfl, Waikaia bridge, afc a total cost of say £60. — Dcol'ned. Mr M'Donald forwarded a num. 3. from Wallace Couuty Council asking the corLmissiot.ers' consent to the deviation of a roadline through run 163 a, Wairaki. — Deviation egrced tj, subjeci to the council obtaiuJDg the consent of the tenart3. Mr M'Docald also fcrwarded an applicition from Mr Dickson, lessee of section 19, block IV, Aparima, to have a sample of limertaic which he had found on bis leasehold snaJyaed. — Tbe secretary was authorited to obtain an analysis.' Mr M'Donald forwarded a claim from the Southland County Council for rates due ou section 11, block XI, Wtndouside, owing by Mr C. J. Thurston. — Ib was decided to inform the council that tha commisjioneis were not liable. A number of account* wero pnssed for payment, after which the eoaim"s?iouera adjourned till tbe 17th December.

We are informed that Mr W. Dallai, of Cluths, will, at the rrqnesl; of several country fc-Lodl committed", offer himself as a candidate for cl'.c'iou to the E luoation Board. Mr Dallas is at prest-iit a member of the W*ste Land Board and a member of the Clutha County Council, ot which litter hods liq bas beea chairman.