Waste Lands Board.

Southland Times, Issue 4793, 16 November 1883, Page 2

Waste Lands Board.

Thursday, 15th November. The Chief Commissioner and all the members, except Mr Hirst, were present at the ordinary weekly meeting. James Shears applied to purchase section 5, block 1, Lindhurst. — Granted. George Gorman applied for 50 acres in the Forest Hill district. A discussion ensued as to the boundaries of the area applied for. Eventually consideration of the application was postponed, the Chief Surveyor to be requested to report. Hall and Mason's (Timaru) application for sections 36 and 37, block 5, Lindhurst, was granted, as also was that of Alexander Stevens for section 44, block 5, Longwood. M. Mulzoni appeared to show cause why his section 51, block 14, Invercargill Hundred, should not be declared forfeited. He said he had been working on it clearing away the bush. — The Ranger reported that Mulzoni had not apparently made any improvements since the section had been transferred to him. Before the transfer had been made the house which was built by the original licensee was burnt down aud it had never been replaced. — The Board resolved to allow Mulzoni three months' time in which to erect a house and live on the section. John Bathgate applied for 200 acres in Hokonui, part of run 148 a. — Granted. The transfer of section J3O, Wairio, from Jaß. Gallacher to Owen Gallacher was sanctioned. John R. Watson applied for a sawmill area of between 30 and 40 acres at Longwood. — Consideration was adjourned till next meeting, it being pointed out to applicant that the area, being a reserve he would require to wait three months at an y rate before his application could be granted. H. Pinkiert asked the Board's permission to clear the bush from a roadline in Mabel district, close to his two sections. He was advised to apply to the Lindhurst Road Board. The Chief Commissioner submitted a plan of a proposed new township at Colac Bay, to be called Oraka, and suggested the way in which the sections should be, disposed of and at what prices.— The matter was held over till next meeting. Stewart Stevens applied for permission to capitalise on sections 2 and 3, block 2, Oteramika. — Granted. The Inspector of Forests reported that the quantity of timber cut in the Southland forests during last month was 1,984,301 superficial feet, the royalty on which amounted to L 249 9s lOd. It being reported that a certain sawmiller had not paid his survey fees although he was in occupation and working areas at Paihi and Spar Bush, it was resolved to give him notice that unices the fees were paid before the Board's next meeting, he would be declared to ba in unlawful occupation of Crown lands. The following applications for deferred payment sections in the Hokonui district were granted: — Section 684, A. Lyddy ; section 685, Jas. Green ; section 687, A. McKay ; section 608, Mary Ann McAlister ; section 690, R. Munro ; section 691, John Mackay. There being more than one applicant for each of the following sections, it was decided to offer them by auction on Saturday, 24th inst. : — Sections 662, 686, and 689, Hokonui; and section 308, Taringatura. The Chief Commissioner said that an applicant for one of the above sections had informed him that to some extent dummyism was in existence in connection wrifch the other sections in the same district.—The Ranger said the sections referred to by the informant had only recently been taken up, and 3ince then all the requirements of the Act had been complied with. It was yet too early to form an opinion aa to the existense of duounyism.— The Act of 1883 was read, and it was pointed out that the Board had by its stringent provisions, the power to deal most severely with any suoh breaches of the law aa those whioh it was alleged had been committed. The Board then adjourned .