Blackstone Hill Extension of Lease.

Otago Witness, Issue 2762, 20 February 1907, Page 9

Blackstone Hill Extension of Lease.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sib.— Tn view of thn statement by the Oiag-o Waste Lands Eoard that consideration of an application from the lessees of the abo\e runs for extension of lea^; was a matter outside their jurisdiction, I have to ask you kindly to publish the following correspondence. I need make no comment: it, speaks for itself. — I am, etc.. February 12. J. J. Jl^msat. Office of Minister of Mines, "Wellington. J. J. Ramsay. Esq., Clyde. Ec B'ackstone Hill Dear Sir. — I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 29th ult. in reference to the suggested extension of the leases of those properties in view of the low price of sheep. In reply, I have the honour t o inform you that any application which may be made by the lessees will not be acted upon or considered until aftor a report has been received from the Otapo Land Board on the subect — Yours faithfully. Robert M"Xab. February 12 1907. Hon X MTsab, Minister of Lands, Wellington. Sir. — You will pardon me if, in reply to your letter of 4th inst. regarding the request of Messrs Boss and Glendining to have another year's lease of Blackstone, Home Hills, and Lauder, I point out that if any delay takes place over the matter now the land cannot be opened m time to allow settlers to fence and get stock this season. It ought to be baJlofcted for in March and settled before the expiry of leas© so that settlers can get on the land on April 1. The Land: Board, as you probably know, declared Messrs Ross and Glendining's request as outside " its jurisdiction," whilst you say in your reply that you ■will not consider the matter -without its report. With a knowledge of Land Board methods of playing into squatters' hands in those matters, I foresee a grave danger of the land being hung up in the meantime, and, as secretary for the settlers, who have been petitioning for over two years to have this land opened, I would not be doing my duty were I not to point the danger out to you. W« were promised that tbe land would be ballotted for in January. TVili we get it in. March?— Yours faithfully, February 13. 9. J. BaxsaX. 1