WASTE LANDS BOARD.

Western Star, Issue 1576, 4 July 1891, Page 2

WASTE LANDS BOARD.

* (Abridged from the News.) At the monthly meeting held on Wednesday, the application of Mary Ann Burke for section 4, block 12, llirsttield, Village, was granted, as was also that of Thus Turbett to complete purchase of section S block S, Waimatuku. A letter was road from Mr J. Turnbull, who applied on behalf of James Holmes to purchase certain lands in the Taringaturadistrict, and forwarded a cheque for £B2 8s 9d, as representing the amount of the Board’s claim for improvements on some of the sections. His idea was, however, to lodge the value of the improvetneiUs as a deposit in the meantime, as he was of opinion that they had been grossly over-valued. Ho would be pleased if the Board would cause a fresh valuation to he made by a competent, valuator, and said ho would agree with such estimate. The valuation for which the present fee was demanded was made eight or nine years ago, and in one case all that remained of Ho improvements claimed I'or was simply a hut, which was practically useless. In another case as owner had removed all the wire from the fences, and sold it before he left the colony, so that it was hardly fair io ask a purchaser to pay tho valuation made so long ago, especially in the face of tho facts he had related. The Chief Commissioner stated that the agent knew at the time of purchasing the land what the valuation was, and it was too late now to take exception to it —Mr Cowan also stated that the sections were offered subject to that valuation, and the Board could not reduce it now. —Mr W. Henderson, who appeared on behalf of Mr Turnbull, said t-hat when the application was put in exception was taken to the valuation verbally, and if they had thought it was necessary to send in a written protest that would have been done.—The Chief Commissioner did not think the Board would he justified in entertaining such an application when the transaction had gone so far. If they thought tho improvements were over-valued they should not have applied for tho land, as, probably, if Mr Holmes had not taken it up someone else would have done sn. If the Board were to decide to reduce the valuation probably other people would come forward and protest against the Board’s action on the ground that tliey should have been given an opportunity of obtaining the land at the reduced valuation. He thought that this point should prove fatal to the application.—Mr Henderson said that as the improvements had nearly all been removed, it looked as though the Board were demanding money for which they were not in a position to give an equivalent.—Mr Cowan said that most of the sections were abandoned deferred payment ones, and a number of the licenses went away without paying the arrears owing, and a great amount of the valuation money went to recoup the Board.—Mr Henderson, nevertheless, thought it unreasonable to ask a purchaser of land for money for improvements that were not on the land.—The Chief Commissioner said that the applicant came of his own motion to purchase the laud, and as he was cognisant of the conditions, the Board could not now see its way to reduce the valuation.— On the motion of Mr Cowan the application was declined. Mr Macalister, solicitor, appeared for George Evans, who at last meeting of the Board appplied for section G, block 8, Longwood, P was then suspected that the applicant wanted the section for the fpewood that is on it, but in a letter read from Mr Evans at the meeting, he denied that he

wanted the land for that purpose, and stated that his application was induced by the fact that it would be convenient for him to have a house and offices in the locality. He also took occasion to state that the Board should not be influenced by any individual in their decisions.— The Chief Commissioner stated that it was true that at the last meeting when Mr Evans’ application was under consideration a gentleman present volunteered certain statements, but the Board did not permit them to weigh with them in their decision as was evidenced by the fact that it was agreed to postpone the application to allow Mr Evans an opportunity to be present.—On the motion of Mr Cowan the application was granted. A communication was received from Wellington stating that the Board in granting a cropping license to Michael S pratt at the last meeting of the Board had acted contrary to law, and it was decided to inform the licensee that the application could not be granted,—Mr Cowan stated that in the past such licenses had been granted in the public interest although it was in contravention of the law. The transfer of run 422, Mason district, Stewart Island from J, W. Bridge to .John Arnett was granted, W. Walker, who stated that a number of his sheep had strayed on to a small run at Mason Bay, Stewart Island, was granted a lease of the run for one year for 40s, in order to allow Id hi time to muster them. The Resident Engineer of the Railway Department wrote, stating that permission had been given by the Board s tenant of section 25, block 14, New Hirer Hundred, to plant a belt of willows across the section from the west end of the New River railway bridge, and to fence in the willows to protect them against cattle, and asked I that the Board should endorse the , right, on account of the outlay that I had been incurred on the work, and, in . view of the possibility of a different j tenant occupying the land.—Agreed to. Thos. Knight wrote stating that it was not fair that he should be asked to pn,v £2 for the lease of a section, at Morley Village when others with a

like area had only to pay £l. The Chief Commissioner said there was no sufficient reason why the difference should exist, and the previous resolution fixing the rental was rescinded, the price being reduced as desired by applicant. A. Seaton requested the Board to re-value the improvements on two sectious on Woodburn run, TVaiau Survey District, as he considered that tho valuations were excessive.—The Chief Commissioner said that the late Ranger had re valued tho improvements, and iiad declined to reduce his previous valuation. —Application declined. The Ranger reported on the application of F. Henry for the perpetual lease of block 17, Jacob’s River Hundred, stating that the best of the timber had been removed. Certain arrangements being carried out in the matter of valuations it was decided to postpone the application, Ann Bourke was granted the lease of municipal section 2, block 13, Hirstfiel at 10 shillings per year. ,]. 0. Ellis was granted a lease of sec: ion 20, Waiau district, at 6d per ami un, the Board reserving the right to r 'same possession at three mouths’ not i ic. .1 >hn Alderson applied for the perpp| -.al lease of section 5, block 15, Lo . jwood, and the ranger was requ ;tcd to visit the land and report as t i the amount of timber on it. ,1 >seph Lyle, on behalf of John Me Cay, asked the Board to reduce the price of several back sections at Danieltown— It was decided to inform the applicant that the Board could not see its way to comply with the request. It was decided to give effect to tho desired transfer of section 37a, Wairio district, from T. J. Coombes to James Quested, on the payment of the arrears due on the section. The application of Elizabeth Quested to complete the purchase of section 4, block I, Morley Village, was held over till next meeting. J. Phillips appeared before the Board for a tramway right at Colac. - - Tho matter was left in the hands of the Chief Commissioner.