Southland Land Board.

Southland Times, Issue 13739, 28 April 1897, Page 4

Southland Land Board.

Tuesday, 27th April.

The meeting was attended by Messrs D. Barron (Chief Commissioner), A. Kinross, D. King, and A. Baldey. Mr Henderson, solicitor, Gore, appeared on behalf of — Hunter, in respect of section 19a, block 2, Otama, which had been advertised for sale. Hunter had lived on the section for some years rent free and had built a cottage and made other improvements. —Ranger to report. Mr A. C. Henderson appeared on behalf of A. J. Cameron, who was in arrear with rent on section 4, block 6, and section 4, block 7, Lillburn. He said Cameron was in a position to pay one half year’s rent on each lease and asked for leniency with regard to the balance. Until Cameron had been given time to further cultivate the land so tbab it would carry more stock it could not be made to pay. Other settlers in that district were in a similar position and Mr Henderson advised the Board to visit the locality and see for themselves how the matter stood.—Considered in committee and request complied with.

John Templeton asked for two months in which to pay L 125 arrears on sections 2 and 3, block 2, Alton.—Considered in committee and request deelined. E. Cosgriffs application for pastoral run No. 517 was refused as the applicant was a defaulter on a former lease. On consideration of the Acclimatisation Society’s communication re the leasing of Long Island, Preservation Inlet, it was decided to refuse the application to lease. Alex. Lind applied to be allowed to surrender section 4, block 7, Waiau.—Considered in committee and section forfeited.

Messrs Mclntyre, Baldey and King reported on the application of Robert Scobie for relief in respect of small grazing run 19, and their recommendations were agreed to. It was decided to cancel the application of K. Fraser for run 214 a as the applicant did not see his way to pay the valuation for improve ments. The Under-Secretary for Lands forwarded a complaint from Geo. Beer re small grazing run 30.—Minister to be informed of the facts of the case by which it would be seen that Beer had no personal claim against the Board.

It was decided that section 5, block 8, Centre Hill, be excised from the small grazing run there and granted to Jos. Crosbie for three years.

Geo. Che wings wrote regarding the excision of 780 acres of worthless land from his small grazing run No. 30. — It was resolved to reply that the Board could take no action in the" matter. The same writer asked that the creek at the boundary of block 9, Centre Hill, be straightened in order to prevent the washing away of the road. —Held over for further information.

Mrs H. Stewart applied for valuation for fencing proposed to be erected on a dairy factory reserve at Merrivaie.—To be allowed three-fourths of the then value of fencing when handed over to the dairy factory trustees. Eliz. Newsome requested that the provisional title for sections 6 and 7, block 2, Otautau, should be altered to block 3, as the former were bid for in error,—Receiver authorised to amend title.

W. Campbell offered 10s per annum for a grazing license over section 7, block 2, East Dipton.—To be offered at auction. The ranger was instructed to report on Wm. Gussin’s application that the limit of area allowed in the Longwood Village be altered to 100 acres.

Henderson and Batger, on behalf of M. Mowatt, offered Ll 4 per annum for pastoral run No. 517 for three years.—Offer could not be entertained, not being in accordance with terms for opening same for application. The Under Secretary for Lands wrote stating that clause 12 of the conditions of lease for Merrivaie estate need not be left in if there were no buildings on the section leased when purchased by the Crown.— Clause to be deleted when not required. J. Ryan was allowed three months in which to pay rent on section 4, block 3, Seaward Bush.

The following applications for land were granted Donald McMillan (Fernhills), VVm. Cusson (Longwood), Patrick Mooney (New River Hundred), Chas. Lynch (Longwood). A title was granted to Mary Egan (Wairio). A transfer of pastoral run 419, Stewart Island, from Charlton and Thomson to the National Mortgage and Agency Co. was sanctioned.

The ranger reported on the leases formerly held by G. A. Darley and W. J. Darley (Waiau), and revaluations were made in each case.