SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2715, 28 March 1906, Page 9

SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.

The monthly meeting of the School Commissioners of Otago was held on the 20th ; present — Mossrs W. Jallas (chairman), D. Bcrrie, T. Mac Gibbon, and the Hon. H. Feldwick.

A letter was received from the Wallace County Council to the effect that he council has voted the sum of £30 for protection of road at section 1 of 102. Taringatura, and that if th© commissioners agree to spend £30 it will protect their property also. Further, that the council is prepared" to close the -western half ol th^ two-cliaiu road opposite section 2 of 102, Taringatura, and to sell it to the School Coniuiissionera at £B per acre. — It was resolved to accept the offer to sell one and a-quarter acres at the rate of £8 per acre, piovided that that sum includes all costs of closing road and survey, etc.

P. Daley wrote agreeing to pay half cost of boundary fence between sections 11 and 12, block XIV, Waimatuku. and his section, and declining to lease the former sections, as he has no use for them — Referred to ranger.

W. S. Fraser ivro'e stating that le cannot see his- way to give more than 2s 6d per section for yearly lease of sections 2 and 3, blcck IV, Waimatuku — Referred to ranger.

Matthew Jukes declined to lease sections 18 and 19, block IV, Waimatuku. — Referred to 1 anger.

James Tayles wrote stating that he considers ■4s per acre too high a rent for the eight acres ■which' the commissioners propose to purchase from Mr Butler. — Received.

The following letter was received froni the Ed.UOß.tiou Department, Wellington: — "With reference to previous correspondence, I in directed to inform you that the Minister approves of the proposed expenditure of £30 on gravelling a road in the neighbourhood of section 1, block IX. Waikaia; of £20 in cutting, etc.. in the neighbourhood of section 12. block XIV, Wendon; and of £100 on metalling in the neighbourhood of sections 1 and 5, block 11, .Wendon. These appear to be required for the actual leasing of lands. Th© remainder of

your proposals being apparently merely for the benefit of lands already leased, the Minister is unable to sanction them." — Received; the Southland County Council to be informed that th-e Minister has oirrtailed the commissioners' vote to sEIoO, and tfiat tnat sum ia now available.

The^.Clerk to the Southland County Council wrote"fransmitting a resolution of the council informing the commissioners that their lands administered by the Land Boards have not paid ' thirds " and " fourths," and the council is entitled to about .£10,000; also, drawing attertion to section 246 of " The Land Act, 1885, ' and 249 of the Land Act of 1892.— Resolved — '• That the communication be received, and that tho Southland County Council be informed that the matter will be inquired into. ' George Rogers, lessee of section 20, block XV, Riverton, wiote enclosing rent due, and asking the commissioners to reconsider his request to surrender lease or to reduce the rent to 5s per annum. — Consideration held over. The Chairman reported that, in terma of suggestion mentioned in a letter from Messrs Mondy, Sim, and Stephens, he had authorised those gentlemen to negotiate for withdrawal of claim against the Otokia Drainage Board, but as the board absolutely declined, through' its solicitors^ to pay any*portion of the costs already incurred the negotiations have fallen through and proceedings are continuing. — The charrman's action was approved. The Southland County Council' wrote asking if the commissioners will give assistance to carry out 'the work of obtaining a road for Mr Casserly to section 9, block XXXII, Limehills.—lt was resolved—" That the County Council bs asked to indicate in -what manner and to what extent it requires assistance, and how much it is prepared to expend." The tender of Daniel Hughes for lease of section 1 1o 12, block 111, South Mossburn, at £2 10s per annum was accepted. T. S. Miller, C.E., wrote agreeing to prepare specifications and invite tenders for protective works at Waikaia.— R-eceived.

The engineer to the Southland CountyCouncil wrote asking for the approval of the commissioners" to the expenditure of £24 8s SI (balance in hand after letting contracts) on road leading to section 4, block IX, Waikaia district. — To be informed that the commissioners have no power to grant the request. T. M. Macdonald, Crown Solicitor, Invercargill, applied for a lease of sections 37, 49. and 50, bock I, township of Marakura, to his Majesty the King for the Government Tourist and Health Resorts Department.— To be offered on yearly lease at 20s per annum each.

John Loftus. lessee of s-ection 18, block JX, Invercargill Hundred, wrote stating that he wiil carry out the conditions of his lease es requested^ — Received.

The Inspector of Mines wrote regarding the promiscuous issue of coai leases. — Received and contents noted.

A letter was received from Messrs T. and J. Hood applying to take gravel from pit on Mr J. Pollock's leasehold. — Permission to take gravel granted subject to consent of tenant, and on payment of royalty of 3d per yard to the commissioners.

The TJnder-secretary for Education forwarded Gazette of Ist instant bringing Run 326 and other education endowments under the operations of " The Mining Act, 1895." — Received and noted.

Messrs W. and G. Baxter, lessees of section 5. block IX, Waikaia district, and Kenneth M'Kenzie, lessee of section 77, block I, Wendon district, wrote re mining and water races. Received ; the warden to be asked to protect the interest of the commissioners and their tenants.

The Ranger reported having inspected all the reserves tbe leases of which expire on 30th April, and arranged with tenants re valuation. He also forwarded a schedule with suggested upsets, and particulars of valuation.— Usual steps to be taken to obtain consent of Government to leasing; sections to be advertised for term of 21 years , special meeting to hi held on April 3 to fix upsets, etc. A petition from 17 tenants in blcck X and adjoining blocks, Waikaia, asking for a grant towards the erection of a stock bridge over the Waikaia River, near section 8, block X, Waikaia district. — Consideration held over for special meeting.

Documents for Approval and Execution. — Lea.=e from Commissioners to M. Andrews, G. A Johnston-e, O. Taylor, A. Barclay, J. Reilly, H. Stewart, R. Wilson, R. Day, and M. Brewer. Transfer of lease section 71, block XVI, Gore, C. Hartley to Margaret M. Paterson Transfer of lease, Wendon Run, William Walker to J. Turnbull. Transfer of lease, section 30, block IV. Wendon, H. B. Morris to Magnum Bonura Dredging Company. Transfer of lease, section 10, block IX, Waikaia district, from Hugh Kelson to Hector M'Kay (per Mr John Milne). Application from Annie Barclay to transfer her lease of section 11, block V, Town of Kaitangata, to Mrs Mary Thomson — Agreed to on usual conditions.

W. P. Hishon, lessee of section 1 of 105, Taringatura, a&ked for consent to fill in a creek, and also for valuation on same. — Consideration held over.

The Hon. Mr Feldwick reported tbe result of his interview with the Minister regarding the payment of rents and royalties received by Government from coal mining claims on education reserves, and handed in a letter from the Minister stating that the Treasury has the matter in hand.

Tbe Southland Education Board applied to Lave 10 acres of section 57, block 1,-Mataura Hundred, set apart for a school site, the tenant having consented to same — It was agreed to set tbe area applied for apart for school site as requested

Accounts amounting to £82 3s id. were passed for payment.