Wellington Land Board.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume II, Issue 130, 2 April 1894, Page 3

Wellington Land Board.

The regular xueeting of the Wellington Land Board was held on Thursday. Present—Tho Commissioner (in the chair), and Messrs W. A. Fitzherbert, T. W. Fisher, A. W. Hogg, and Frod. Pirani, M.H.K.

The following applications to capitalise were granted : —J. I>. Waller, Section 1, Block XVI., Mungahao. Applications for titles approved;—J. Howlett, Section 53, Block V., Mangaone ; W. H. Overton, Section 36, Block XIV., Mangaone ; G. Hanberg, Section 45, Block XIV.. Mangaone; E. McFani, Section 18, Block 111.. Mangahao; W. Martin, Section 108. Block VI., Mangahao. Transfers approved :—C. Nelson to L. Luoni, Section ‘25, Block 11., Mangaone; G. Peterson to self and 11. Dixon, Section 129, Block XIII., Mangaone ; W. G. Cox to J. E. Cox, senr., Section 5, Block XIV., Tararua ; I*. C. Nielson to N. W. Ibbotson, Sections 36, 6ic., Block 11., Makuri.

Mr Walker appeared before the Board to show cause why Section 3, Block IX., Mangahao should not be forfeited for non compliance with the conditions. He explained that he had felled nearly 40 acres, but only 10 had been burned, and he had met with a series of accidents in the several years he had worked on iL It was decided to allow Mr Walker till the end of June to complete the improvements.

In reference to tho forfeiture of the interests of Messrs Atkinson and Farrelly in the Molvenzie Village Settlement, it was decided to graut a re-hearing, to take place at a date to be fixed by the Commissioner.

11. Longhurst’s application for title for section 67. Block IX., Eketahuna, was granted, provided he completes the improvements, which were JCI4 4s short. The following applications to convert to lease in perpetuity were approved, provided the conditions were complied with : —Mangahao : G. Turner, section 61, and M. Vile, section 62, Block VIII. ; D. A. Grut, E. M. Hull, J. Polglase, P. Ryan, and B. O’Grady, sections 72, 16,8, 9, and 62, Block XVIII.; J. McCrue, section 33, Block IV. It was decided to offer tho Paa Creek Valley Village Settlement in from 71 to 121 acre sections under the new conditions.

Three petitions were read from settlers in the Makuri, Coonoor and Puketoi districts asking that a special meeting of tho Board should bo held at Pahiatua to deal with their grievances. Mr Ilogg strongly j urged that the Board should investigate j the grievances in question sai j fe j t surt* ** TCaucuon in tho valuations would be made if that were done. The Commissioner pointed out that nothing could be done except by legislation, and ! therefore could not see the utility of com* [ plying with the request. Personally, he i did not believe the land was overvalued, and thought if it were offered for sale ! again there would be plenty cf applications. | In many cases the area of land given to | these settler.” was undoubtedly too small, 1 unless they did something else besides keep sheep. Mr Fitzherbert thought relief could only be got by legislation, and it was idle for the Board to discuss the matter. Mr Fisher concurred. Mr Pirani thought the settlers had a grievance, j although he hardly knew how it could bo j remedied without legislation. After a long discussion, it was decided that the I Commissioner report on the actual valuaI lions made.

An application from R. Spain, section 23, Block IV., Mangahao settlement, for a remission of rent, was referred to the ranger for report. B. Flynn was granted permission to lease the grazing on section 19, Block 11., Makuri.

G. Ij. Osier’s interest in section 22, Block VII., Makuri, was forfeited. It was decided to give Mr Batt an extension of time till the end of December to fell the required area on section 8, Block IX., Mangahao.

A. Moodie’s interest in section 153, Blocks XIV., Makuri was forfeited.

A number of deferred thirds were passed for payment. Extension of time was granted to a number of settlers to complete improvements ; several to be notified their improvements were in arre&r.

On Mr Hogg’s motion, seconded by Mr Fitzherbert, it was decided to recommend the Minister of Lands to reserve the unsold laad in and around the Makuri Gorge tube permanently reserved its a public park. The Board adjourned at 5.15 p.m.