OTAGO LAND BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3831, 16 August 1927, Page 14

OTAGO LAND BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Otago Land Board, which was held on Wednesday, was attended by Messrs R. S. Galbraith (commissioner of Crown Lands), C. J. Inder, J. Smith, G. Livingstone and T. A. Munro. The Commissioner submitted for consideration by the board a suggestion for the control of the Glenorchy commonage.— Existing license cancelled, and the commissioner to take steps to have the land occupied in a more satisfactory way. The board was asked to_ consider the application made by A. Keegan for a miscellaneous license over part of the tailings reserve adjoining section 226, town of Koniako. —Previous resolution granting a miscellaneous license to A. Keegan rescinded. E. N. Tohill applied for a grazing right over an area of land in block VII, Leaning Rock S.D., between the Manuherikia ■Settlement and the Clutha River, extending as far as the town of Alexandra. — Declined. Andrew Carl Iversen and Grace Jessie Iversen applied to purchase section 156, block K, Leaning Rock S.D., area 53 acres 1 rood 12 poles.—Granted, at a capital value of £55, subject to adjustment of fencing with adjoining owner. John M. N. Fratcr applied for an occupation lease over an area of approximately 85 acres 1 rood 8 perches in block I. Fraser S.D. —Provisionally granted, subject to survey. Mr D. B. Denniston applied for an area of approximately 10 acres along the foreshore at Lake ’ Hawea, adjoining Jones’s Creek.—A 7 ear to year license granted at an annual rental of £l, a permanent tenure to be granted after survey S. R. Borland applied for an occupation lease over an area of approximately. 25 acres in block 11, Benger S.D., on the south bank of the Clutha River adjoining sections 2. 6 and 88.—Provisionally granted, at a capital value of £6 per acre, subject to survey, year to year license granted in the meantime at an annual rental of £3.

Hamilton and Cock, of Winton, applied for a tramway right at the head of Lake Wakatipu on the Routeburn River through a map recreation reserve, Dart S.D. — Granted on a year to year tenure, at an annual rental of £l, subject to the insertion of tlie usual public works clause. Janies Begg, holder on lease in perpetuity of sections 1 and 2 block 111 Tarras b.D.,

applied under the provisions of section 149 of the Land Act 1924 for the inclusion in this lease of an area of about 50 acres of land in the north-east corner of block 11. Wakefield S.D.—Referred to the Public Works Department. William Ernest Beattie applied for the fee simple of national endowment run 248 E, Upper Taieri, urea 4'390 acres.—The board approved of a valuation being obtained. The Commissioner advised that the conveyance to the Crown had been completed of an area of 2 roods 32 perches, being part of section 45, block IX, North Harbour and Blueskin S.D., and this area should now be disposed of to Mrs Isabella Hannah White, the purchaser of the adjoining property.—Granted at a capital value of £2O. The board was asked to consider the

question of the valuaion of section 110, bloc- I, Cromwell S.D., granted to F. P. Sutherland on renewable lease. —Previous resolution amended and capital value fixed at £l4O. Th© board was asked to consider the sale of section 8. block IV, Cairnhill S.D., to Miss Mary R. Vallance; area 1 rood.— Granted at a capital value of £2. The Commissioner submitted for consideration by the board the field inspector’s report on sections 9, 10, and 11, block XXI. town of Roxburgh.—Sections to be submitted for sale by public auction at the upset prices suggested by the field inspector. The board was asked to consider the question of extending miscellaneous license 2750 over 20 acres in block I, Tautuku S.D., held by Messrs Wright, Watson, and Harrington.—License extended for three years at an annual rental of £l. Mrs John Kennedy applied for permission to cultivate portions of the flat lands included in her miscellaneous licenses 1582 and 1595, block VI. Tuapeka West S.D. — Permission granted, subject to the land being afterwards sown down in permanent pasture to the satisfaction of the field inspector J. J. O. Robertson, holder of sections 73a and 76a, Steward Settlement, on small grazing-run lease, advised that he objected to the valuation placed on the run for rental purposes upon renewal, and that he had appointed Mr George Shand as his arbitrator. —Mr James Begg was appointed arbitrator for the board. I). M‘G. Matheson, holder of section 74a, Steward Settlement, on small grazing-run lease, advised that he objected to the valuation placed on the run for rental purposes upon renewal, and that he had appointed Mr George Shand as his arbitrator. —Mr James Begg was appointee arbitrator for the board. The board was asked to deal with the question of declaring forfeited the lease ot section 4, block XIV, Pomahaka Settlement, in the name of Neil Fletcher, dece- *<l — Lea'c declared forfeited The board was asked to consider the disuursemeiit of £9/ 15s 2d paid in by the sncccssf.il Applicants for the commissioner's flat sections in block I, Teyiot g,D. Receiver of land revenue authorised to disburse the money in accordance with the report of the field inspector. A. C. Nichols applied, for permission to burn on two small areas of run 217 b and part of run 209 in the Otepopo and Wai hemo districts —Action of the commissioner in granting permission confirmed. The action of the commissioner in grantI ing permission to burn was confirmed in 1 the following oases; —

A. Nimmo fern and tussock on run 1211, Waikouaiti; F. G. Glover, tussock on section 1, block VI, Strath Taieri S.D. ; A. D. Elliott, tussock on run 254 b, Serpentine and Loganburn S.D.; S. Andrews, tussock on Kyeburn Station ; A. W. Pearson, tussock on run 206 e, Maniototo; W. A. Scaife, tussock on runs 334 c and d; trustees in the, estate of the late A. J. and S. T. Scaife, tussock on run 333, Lake County; Mrs Cora E. Wright, tussock on run 638, Teviot Settlement ; Eric Skinner, tussock on sections 5 to 9, and 11 to 15, block VII, Tuapeka East S.D.; Robinson, manager for the executors of the estate of the late W. A. T. Jopp, tussock and fern on runs 520 and 521: John Turnbull, patch burn on his small grazing-run, section 15, block X, Strath Taieri S.D.; John Butler, tussock on run 260 c, Deep Stream, and snow grass on run 260 d, Hedgehope; G. R. Young, on behalf of R. Acton-Adams, tussock on run 612, Wilden; Francis 11. Fraser, tusscok on sections 22, block IX, 5 block X, and sections 13 to 15 and 17 to 21, block IX, Kuriwao S.D. ; Dougald Matheson, tussock on runs 121 a and 121 k, Waikouaiti County; Robert. Baird, tussock on run 23. Shotovcr S.D. The Commissioner submitted for consideration the field inspector’s report in connection with the revision of rental payable under m.l. 2128, held by J. M’Henry.— Rental increased to £1 4s per annum from August 10. The Commissioner submitted for consideration the field inspector’s report in connection with the revision of rental payable under m.l. 2185, held bv Mrs M. Herbert.—Rental increased to £1 4s per annum, as from September 14. The Commissioner submitted for consideration the field inspector's report in connection with the revision of rental payable under m.l. 1689. held by Miss E. Weir. —

Rental increased to £2 per annum as from September 7. , The Commissioner submitted for consideration the field inspector’s report in connection with the revision of rental payable under m.l. 3085, held by J. Wilson.— Rental increased to £1 5s ncr annum from April 1, 1928. The Commissioner submitted for consideration the field inspector’s report in connection with the revision of rental payable under m.l. 2369, held by A. M’Kinnon. —Rental increased to £2 per annum as from February 14, 1928. The Commissioner submitted fop consideration the field inspector’s report in connection with the revision of rental payable undsr m.l. 1154, held by J. Crawford. — Rental increased to £1 per annum as from September 19. The Commissioner submitted for consideration the field inspector’s report in connection with the revision of rental payable under m.l. 3228. held bv E. E. Russell. —Rental increased to £1 16s per annum as from February 14. 1928. The Commissioner submitted for consideration the field inspector’s report in connection with the revision of rental payable under m.l. 30C5, held by _D. A. ,A. M’Kay. —Existing license determined ; new licence from year, to year to be issued to W. Crawford at an annual rental of £1 ss. The Commissioner submitted for consideration the field inspector’s report in connection with the revision of rental payable under m.l. 2133. held by D. Risk.— Rental increased to 15s per annum as from August 10 The field inspector’s revised reports as to the rental payable by R. W. Leishman on. section 11 block V, Town of Jxailaugam was submitted for consideration. —Rental increased to 10s per annum as from October 17. The field inspector’s revised report as to the rental payable by the Tahakopa Sawmilling Company for an area of 140 acres, part of sections 14 anil 15, block I, lautuku S.D., was submitted for consideartion. —Remal increased to £2 10s per annum as from August lu. District Valuer Milne submitted his appraisement of small grazing run 79h (jiareI wood), held by Messrs Donald and Alexander M’Millan, and the board was asked to consider the question of rental.— Lessees to he offered renewal at an annual rental of £268. The board was asked to consider the question of the renewal of small grazing run lease of sections 5,6, 7, and 8, block XI Teviot S.D. ; lessee, late John Gordon. . —Renewal to be offered' at an annual rental

of £ll7 Bs. Field Inspector Mee was appointed appraiser for the board to assess the rental for the new term in respect to the following leases-.-Education reserve lease over section 1. of 27. block IX, Oamaru S.D., and section 29a, Totara Settlement, hold bv R. T. Mitchell, jun.; education reserve lease over section 2 of 65, block X, Oamaru S.D., hel<l by the Waitaki County Council; education reserve lease over sections 54 ana 57. block IV. Otepopo S.D., held by Wm. I’ Reid; education reserve lease over sections 22 and 23. block VII. Otepopo S.D., held by J. C. Nichols; education reserve lease over section 2 of 47, biock 13 , 33 aikouaiti S.D., in the name of Archibald Wm. Douglass (deceased) Field Inspector Simpson was appointed as the board’s appraiser to assess the rental for the now term in respect of tne totlowing education reserves:—Sections 60 and 96. Block I Shotovcr, S.D., held by Wad inn. and John Robert Watt; sec-lion 143, Block I, Shotovcr S.D held by Kobt N Grant; section 39, Block 11, Shmo- er S.D., held by Mrs Jane G Grant part section 1. Block XIII, Hillend S.D , held bv J. I’. Moir; section 2 30, Bieck IV, Otokia S.D., held by Wm. Chas. Palmer and George Mondy ; section 30. Biock HI, Tuapeka East S.D., held by Mrs M. I. Browne. Field Inspector Bailey was appointed appraiser for the board to determine the rental to be fixed on the renewal of the following occupation leases:—Section U), Block IV, Lower Wanaka S.D., held by Chas J. Morris; sections 12 and 101. Block I, St. Bathans S.D., held by Owen Jones: sections 30 and 31, Block 11. Kawarau S.D., held bv E. B. and E. G. Sanders ; section 67, Block 11, Teviot S.D., held by R A. Parker; section 102, Block 11, Teviot S.D., held by R. Glendinnmg; sections 104, 105, and 109. Block 11, Teviot S.D., held by F. J. de Silva; sections 106 and 107, Block 11, Teviot S.D., reld by F. J. de Siiva; section 103, Block H, Teviot S.D., held by R A Parker ; section 103, Black 11, Teviot SD„ held by A. W. Allen: section 115, Block 11, Teviot S.D., held by H. J. Walles • section 116, Block 11, Teviot S.D.. held by A. H Tamblyn; section 47, Block [, Benger S.D., held by K. M’Leod. The following proposals for the expenditure of “thirds” were approved, and the receiver was authorised to pay:— 33 aitaki i County Council, for period ending July 31, amounting to £3 Hs 2d j Maniototo

County Council (“thirds” and “fourths”), for the period ending April 30. amounting to £155 Os 2d; Bruce County Council, for period ending April 30, amounting to 16s sd; Bruce County Council, for period ending July 31, amounting to 15s 6d ; Lake County Council, for period ended July el, amounting to £37 18s Id. Proposals tor the expenditure of £96 Ils 3d, “fifths.' of forest revenue accruing to the Clutha County Council for period ended June 30, were approved. Proposals for the expenditure of £1 13s Id, “fifths” of forest revenue accruing to the Lake County Council for the period ending June 30, were approved. An application for the transfer of section 34a Steward Settlement, 204 acres 1 rood, from Matthew Baxter to Alice O'Brien, was approved.

An application to transfer section 5, Block 11, Highlay S.D., 15 acres 2 roods 12 poles, from Sophia A. Cockerell to 'Alexander Innes, was held over for a re port.

An application to transfer Point River Reserve, fronting Block VIII, Town of Manuherikia, 3 acres, from John M‘Knight to Chas. Hy. Drake, was approved. An application to transfer section 33. Block 11, Maerewhenua Settlement, and section 43, Block VII, Maerewhenua Settlement, 534 acres 2 roods 13 poles, from Thomas Staunton to Wm. 11. Simpson, was approved.

OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER.

(From Our Special Correspondent.) SIDELIGHTS OK THE MANUFACT U R 1 NG 1N D U STR Y. BRADFORD, June 9. For interesting sidelights on the development of the wool trade the West Riding of Yorkshire, where the industry has been settled for so long, is a rich field. It has frequently been said that ifi the meat packing business of Chicago what was thrown away as waste 40 years ago to-day represents the profit. Something similar is the case in the wool trade. Readers who are familiar with burry wool know that if a lot is not quite burry enough for carbonising many woollen manufacturers will put it through a moieting machine, and afterwards use the wool in the blending and carding without carbonising. The machine nips out the burrs, which, of course, have a certain amount of wool still attached to them. These burrs are carbonised, and the product used probably in the same blend as the free wool. The difference is that instead of having to carbonise the whole bale, the manufacturer only has to carbonise the moieted locks, which might amount to little more than 5 per cent, of the bale. Both greasy and scoured wools are moieted. and 40 years ago it is very doubtful whether any mill "carbonised its greasy moieted locks. One well-known woolman in the West Riding remembers the time when it was a regular practice of his mother on baking day to stoke up her fire with greasy- moieted locks. They were, of course, almost entirely solid burr, and were brought by his father from the mill in readiness for hairing day. Put on a red fire with a good draught they- gave off a tremendous heat. Another interesting sidelight on the way the wool business has come under modernising influences and is affected by the keenness of competition is afforded in the old method of estimating yields. There are still one or two wool buyers and users in the West Riding who estimate the yield of wool as being so many pounds to the stone. The etone recognised when this method of calculation was common was one of J-Jlh. and wool would be bought to yield, for example. 81b or 91b. It is obvious that this method was of the “rule of thumb” order. A woollen manufacturer buying a good fine Sydnor wool would sav that it would give Sib to the stone. Today we should say. it would yield 50 per cent. If that manufacturer were shown a wool that would yield 53 per cent, he would have had to estimate it as being about BMl> to the stone; but t.hev u<ed to talk of it being “a good S’.h'.” ar-] perhaps put another farthing ou t-o price, as they would knock a farthing off the price if it were “ a bare 8’1,.” VVhen wool prices were about a quarter nt those ruling to-day, it would perhaps not be so necessary to estimate the yield to 1 per cent. Obviously an estimate ot jlelcL on the basis of so many pounds ‘ to t ! l . c . sto ’ l , e had as its smallest unit something like 6 per cent. (Between 711, and 81b yield there is 6 per cent, difference.) 10-day. in the London saleroom particularly (things are not quite so keen in Neu Zealand and South America), the judgment of wool at 47 per cent, when it will almost certainly yield 48 per cent means missing the lot entirely. CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION. Comments are still being made by various individuals responsibly associated with the wool textile trade indicating a desire for a serious discussion of the great ,C H% O -/h e <lay - Fveryhody recogt f' lt lf ther > e ,"T re t,le least Possibihty of any good being done by such a conference it should b e called without a moments delay. When men like Mr Harry Dawson, who is by no means pessimistically biased, and is always ready to «ee any redeeming feature, 'write in such a strain as he has recently done in commenting upon the general outlook for the wool manufacturing industry in the jy e - s , t . - Yorkshire and the ks l , tCd . lt; , ls obvious that something needs to be done. In an interview Mr Dawson recently said: “Both in America ami in England the textile trade seems to have got into a morass. There is a real need for drastic inquiry and lor some effective steps to deal with the situation. The fact is that both in America and in England during the last two years it has been almost impossible to do business in any branch of the textile trade, from wool to the finished cloth, without giving something away with the material, and losses have been colossal lhe root causes have been that a vicious competition in limited selling markets has proved to be ruinous, and that in the production the overhead costs have been disproportionately high.” . The recent calls for co-operative consideration _ have come from sources between which in the past there has not always been unanimity of thought and action, and between which there has

been sharp divergence socially and politically. The names of Colonel Willey, Mr William Hunter, and Sir Henry Whitehead may be included among the leaders of commercial enterprise and controllers of capital, who, with Aiderman Turner as the spokesman for Labour interests, have blended their voices in advocating that the two great divisions of inquiry should come together in friendly conclave. Whilst having no desire whatever to oppose any such procedure, I find it very difficult to see that any real good could be done. It is felt in Bradford trade circles that unless Labour organisations can at least modify some of their x present programme relative to hours and wages no definite result would accrue from any such conference as the one proposed. Every problem involved in the trade today lias its root in finance. Many firms are still severely crippled in this respect. They have never recovered from the losses following the war boom, and the general strike which took place 12 months ago has done more harm than many of the general public realise. Additional expenditure is even still having to be borne, and, unfortunately, there is no compensation in the way of'expanding profits or developing business, the tendency being too obviously in the opposite direction. The only real remedy appears to lie in increased production of wool textile goods at prices which will appeal more effectively to the general public. Yet wool is not likely to be much cheaper, and resort is being made as much as ever to the use of substitutes for cheapening purposes and to help to make fabrics of various kinds which will supply the persistent demand for something of attractive style. ’ CONDITIONS IN BRADFORD.

As this is Whit Week there is nothing now to say about trade in Bradford. For several weeks prices for botany tops have remained on a dead level of 47d for average combings and 49d for warp. During the same period there has been no variation to mean anything in fine wool. We have, of course, passed through the third series of London sales, and though there were some fluctuations on that occasion, the net result was to leave merinos pretty much as they were before. Details of actual changes have already been given. , My own idea is that such falls as were then indicated -do not amount to much from the manufacturing standpoint. I am anticipating that raw material values will not show any decline prior to the commencement of a new season. This opinion is based on the knowledge that immediately available supplies of merinos are not large and prospective outlets for crossbreds have recently Unproved, resulting in some stiffening of the prices paid by private buyers. What will happen to the new clip remains to be seen, but I shall not be surprised if slightly lower values come into force. I say this advisedly because a good deal depends on Continental buying. Consumption of wool in France and Germany is still good; if these countries arc able to operate extensively they will be an important factor in keeping prices somewhere about their present level. Ine home trade is also showing slight signs of improvement. Unemployment is not quite so severe, though manufacturers still refuse to acknowledge that any more business is coming their way. This, of course, applies especially to Bradford and the manufacturing towns around. Bradford itself has undoubtedly been hard hit by the iinportation of cheap goods from the Continent, but these things aiways i.iove Jn cycles, and I quite be.ieve that this centre will eventually hare a turn. I am not disposed to be unduly pessimist!<-. though I know that t.ie financial position of many firms here is none too good.

(Foi Continuation ot Farm and Station see cage 19.)