A SHIRKER'S GRAZING RUN

Otago Witness, Issue 3395, 9 April 1919, Page 21

A SHIRKER'S GRAZING RUN

A TRANSFER INADVERTENTLY GRANTED.

A few weeks ago correspondence .reached us from more than one source representing that the Otago Land Board had sanctioned the transfer of a small grazing run in the Macraes district from a man who was described as a military deserter to his brother. We submitted these representations to tho officials of the board, b.v whom inquiries respecting the matter were thereupon instituted, the formal consent to the transfer being withheld in tho meantimo,_ and an application to have the transaction completed being not entertained. As a result of the inquiries which have been made, it now" appears certain that the transferror is a military deserter, a? was alleged bv our correspondents, information to this effect having been supplied to the head office of the Lands Department) by the defence authorities. No doubt, when tho Land Board approved the transfer >l the first instance, it acted in good faith, as the necessary papers were signed by tho deserter's attorney, and to all appearances Wero in proper order. The whole matter will come up for consideration ab the next meeting of the board, when it may be expected that the resolution approving the transfer will be rescinded. It lies also within the power of the board to forfeit tho license of tho holder of the grazing run, and it may be assumed that it will adopt this course.