WASTE LAND BOARD.

Western Star, Issue 31, 13 June 1874, Page 2 (Supplement)

WASTE LAND BOARD.

The usual weekly meeting of the Board was held on the Sth. Present : The Chief Commissioner, Messrs Bastings, Butterworth, Clark, Reid, and Strode. Mr Harris, for Mr Rossbotham, applied to lease a small strip of land on the banks of the Water of {Leith, being part of block 5, Dunedin aud East Taieri district. It appeared that applicant had, in 1870, purchased by auction sections 71, 72, and 73 of the block, and pn a later date sections 75 and 76. (he boundary of the first three sections was a roadtine ; and the portion applied for was a narrow strip, useless for any public purpose. Grauted un 'er clause 161, at 29s per annum. The District Ranger, Mr Innes, asked instructions as to whether the small patches of bush along the tributaries of the Shotover have been left for the use of the miners, and whether they were to be allowed to cut timber growing on thoir cl urns without taking out a l.eense. For instance, four miners had a claim in the bush at the head of the ake, and it was possible that they might sell the timber or allow it to be taken away. It was decided that the various bushes were not left for the use of the miners ; that the Ranger should use hia own discretion as to .allowing miners to cut timber for domestic or necessary purposes, and not to interefre in such cases ; also, that the miners are not entitled to cut timber on th-ir claims unless such is specified in their mining leases. Messrs D. Sinclair and R. Glenn applied to purchase certain land in JSlaseby held by them under miners’ rights and business license. To be surveyed by applicants, and to be sold by auction with valuation attached. If fronting a main road, at L 5 per acre upset price ; if back, at L 3 per acre. The Town Clerk of - asebv requested that the back ground of section 97. block 1, there, be reserved. Referred back for a more specific application, stating the purpose af it; a tracing also to be supplied. Mr James Stewart applied’to purchase section 56, block 4, Table Hill ; and Mr William Fitzgerald to purchase section 52 of the same block. The District Land Officer transmitted both applications. The land in each case to be surveyed by applicants and be put up at auction—upset price L 3 3s per acre.

A petition from householders in the district was read asking that certain sections at Newton, Tinkers, should be surveyed for sale. Referred to the District Land Officer for advice.

Messrs Sharp and M'Kechnie applied for a lease for fourteen years of the bush at the head of Bush I Ireek, Arrowtown, at a rental of LlO per annum. Applicants stated that they were prepared to make a road. leferred to the Danger, to ask applicants at what prices they would be bound xo supply the public. The terms of a similar ease at Tuapeka to be transmitted to them for their consideration.

A map of Waitaki. railway bridge was submitted for approval, and the Hon. Mr M'Lean wrote asking the intentions of the Board with reference to the sections of the township reserve at the bridge. Survey appro vtd, bu> the sections in use by the General and Provincial Governments to be reserved until they are no longer required. Government to be recommended to sectionise Dunbar’s ho ding. Messrs James and Alexander Gray applied for a lease of sections 2,3, 4 and 5, block 1, Coast district, Mr James Mil.s not having taken up the lease granted to him in April last, acd being willing now to transfer any right he may have to applicants. Lease to issue on same terms as Mr Mills had it on, rent to commence from date.

The application of Mr John Crosaau to purchase section 32, block 1, Cairuhill district, held under agricultural lease, was approved.

Mr W. Dalgleish submitted plan of preemptive right on run No. 72 for approval. The Chief Commissioner stated that this application compri-ed all the best land of the run, but being found to be strictly according to the regulations, it was approved. Mr William Felton applied for a coal lease of section 63, block 3, Tuapeka West. Granted, the District Land Officer reporting favorably on the application. A letter was read from Sir P. D. Bell purporting to point out an error or mis-concep-tion on the part of tbs Board in stating his case to the Attorney-General, in that he had not raised any objection to the sale of the Shag Valley block, >ut had only questioned the power of the Board to sell it, after its being re-included in the goldfield. The Board found that Sir P. D. Bell had raised an objection.