Advances to Settlers.

Colonist, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8148, 17 January 1895, Page 4

Advances to Settlers.

Wellington, January 16.

The first meeting of the General Lending Board nnder the Government Advances to Settlers Act, was held to-day, Mr J. K War burton, Superintendent under tiie Act, presiding. Among those present was the Coloni. l Treasurer, while the only absent members were the Surveyor-General and the Solicitor-General. None of the applications for loans were dealt with to-day, the question under disoussion being that of valuation, aud it was agreed that in conneotion with eaoh app'ication, as it arise?, valuation should be made by the Superintendent, or on his behalf by a valuer of his nomination, in terms of subsection 4of clause 41 of the Aot. This ia precisely on the same conditions under which valuations are regulated by the Pnbiio Trustee for loans under the Publio Trustees Act. As regards the appointment of valuers, for which provision is made under section 11 of the Act, two appointments hava already been made by the Governor in Council, viz., Hugh C.rswell, Otago, and William Duncan. Auckland, and thtir appoint— ents date from January 14. Mr T. K. Maodonald, for Wellington, will Bhortly be gazett d, but the selection for Christohuroh has not yet been made, though it is not unlikely that Mr J. W. A. Marobant, Commissioner of Crown Lands, will act in tbe meantime. These four are practica ly supervising valuers, though it is uot necessary that the Superintendent should accept their figures, aa the Act gives him the sole selection of valuers respecting advances, and he may, if he chooses, se'ect any one of the capable v .luer?, of whom he has an extensive list, to value security. Mr Warburton has just issued a circular setting forth clearly the terms of tbe Act, and the provisions under wh eh advances may be obtained. Already Bix applications are to hand, and so j Boon aa the Superintendent receives the report 3of valuers for a few of the applications, the Board wiil be convened to deal with them.