OAMARU SEWS NOTES

Otago Witness, Issue 1851, 30 March 1904, Page 10

OAMARU SEWS NOTES

(FjßOlt OVB, OWN _COBBESPOKDENT.> OAMARU, March 22

A case wan partially heard in tho Magistrate's Court to-day in which a point of interest to Crown tenants was raised. A Crown tenant at Maerawhenua some time ago sold a moo of sheep to a, neighbour, together with the exclusive right to tho grazing on certain paddocks on the section. The vendor, however, allowed some cattle to remain on the section, and the purchaser now sues for the grazing of the cattle. In defence, counsel moved for a nonsuit on two grounds — the first that the transaction gave the purchaser an interest in the land, and should have been in writing; and the second (the more important to Grown tenants) that the transaction purported to give Mac Donald such a right to possession as made Mac Donald for the time being cocupior of the land. The Land Act provided that no transfer or disposition of the occupancy cf the land, or any part of it, should be made without the cor.i=ciit of the Land Board. The bargain, therefore, as to occupancy was void. The magistrate reserved bis decision. The^a arrangements as to grazing are said to he pretty common among Crown tenants, and the point is of importance.

March 24.

The high-handed measures of the Government are very w ell e l s idenced by it» action towards tho County Councils over the question of the maintenance of bridges x^e-d for road and railway purposes. At the Waitaki County Council's meeting on Wednesday eoi-pe&pondeiice was read from the Treasury Department stating that the burn, of £384 had be-en deducted from the subsidies to which the council is entitled for tho maintenance of the xipper and lower Waitaki bridges. At the same time, the depaitment intimated that a commission was to inquire into the- allocation of the charges between ihe two counties affected (Waitaki and Waimate), but the commission is to bo composed of two Government servants. To this constitution Mr Sutherland, the chairman, has entered a strong protest. Tho Ashburton County Council lias been advised that the Government has no power legally to deduct from the subsidies any but statutory charges, and this is certainly not one. That council has decided to take no part or action in the commksion aforesaid, but has asked other councils to share in the cost of resisting the act of the Government. The Wakaki County Council decided to follow this very wise move, and to pay a share of any legal expenses incurred by the Ashburton Council in bringing a test case. It is only a few months since the first intimation of the Railway Department to make these charges was received, and it is hardly conceivable, yet it is tiue, that the deduction now made is for the year ended 51st March, 1903 — not for the current year. Even were- the deduction not illegal, the action of making it for a period terminated six months before the notice was first given is one for pretty definite characterisation. The question does not affect many counties, as the use of a bridge for both purposes is generally by special arrangement, but the two bridges different conditions, which should permanently exclude them from all question. Messrs J. and T. Meek have just made very considerable and important improvements and additions to their Crown Roller MiDs. Now plant has been added and the old i-o-arranged, so as to make the mill one of the best in the colony— in fact, MiMeek is satisfied that for completeness and equipment it is without equal. The additions include tho erection of a Hornsby boiler of a pattern without its like in Australasia just now. The new plant was visited aiid inspected by a number of gentlemen on Wednesday afternoon, who expreesed themsplves in terms of warm approval for the enterprise of the firm and the advances made.

March 26.

The volunteers are looking round for a site for their new drillshed, the present site being broken and not altogether suitable. On Friday evening- a deputation consisting of Captains Forrest and Stubbs waited on the council, and asked for a portion of Takaro Park Reserve, which is severed from the rest by the railway line. The site would be a fine one, and the council seemed disposed to view the matter favourably, as the volunteers offer to obtain an exchange of some land, which would add to the extent of Takaro Park proper. The matter was referred to a committee for information.

After a lot of discussion and several times referring the matter back, the council on Friday evening accepted the recommendation of the Abattoir Committee, and appointed the Government inspector at the killing works to manage the new abattoir at a salary of equal to £70 a year. A meeting of creditors in the estate of J. H. Barr, bankrupt, was held on Friday afternoon. The statement of assets and liabilities showed the following position •.- — Unsecured creditors : National Mortgage and Agency Company, £1140; Ross and

GlenJiiuiiff, £324 6~, 6J; Jas. Barr, £235; Janet Lo-.very, £157 4s; J. J. Spenco (the petitioning creditor), £57 12s ; smaller amounts, £27 16s 6d;— total, £1871 19s. Secured creditor? : Nil. Assets : Book debts of H. J. Barr, £1717 0s 6d (estimated to produce £571 19,); deficiency, £1600. The bankrupt was examined as to his position, but the meeting ended without any resolution being arrived at, Mr Crawford intimating that lie would apply for an examination before the judge.