HAWKE’S BAY LAND BOARD

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2551, 12 July 1909, Page 3

HAWKE’S BAY LAND BOARD

ADJOURNED MEETING. The adjourned meeting (from Napier) of the Hawke’s Bay Land Board was held at the Lands Office, Gisborne, on Saturday. There were present: The Crown Lands Commissioner (Mr. T. W. Brodrick), Messrs W. Akroyd, R. R. Groom, E. Lane, and G. Wright. Mr. A. C. Steele applied to the Board to reserve for the settlers in the Upper Hangaroa Valley a stock paddock of about 18 acres on run 48 Ngatapa. Mr. Steele wrote stating that the lease of the run expired in August, 1910. The reserve was necessary, as settlers often had to hold stock for days when the river was in flood. If the request was granted he would keep the paddock free from noxious weeds. Mr. J. W. Bright spoke in support of the application. The Commissioner said there would be no objection to making the grant if the land was not required for a homestead. The application was granted, with the reservation that it should not be required for homestead purposes. The trustees of Mr. T. J. Harris, deceased (Mr. H. Bright) applied for permission to acquire the freehold of section 4, Block 5, Patutahi. The application was granted. The Board considered the forfeiture of a miscellaneous lease on section 12, Block 8, Buckley Township, Tologa Bay.—The Commissioner said that no rent had been paid for about tlirce years.—The Board declared the lease to be forfeited. The forfeiture of section 4, Block 9, Ngatapa Subdivision, by Messrs McDermott and Abberton, . for non-com-pliance with conditions, was again considered, and Mrs. McDermott’s application for a license oyer section 3 of the same block was taken at the same time. Mr. T. A. Coleman appeared for Mrs. McDermott. The Ranger reported that none of the conditions of the lease of the section, which was let for the purpose, of an accommodation house, were being carried out. Mr. Coleman said that Mrs. McDermott had a half claim with Mr. Abbeyton in" the lease, but she was also in Abberton’s debt for money advanced to her husband. The estate was now in the hands of the Public Trustee, and lie would suggest that the matter be again deferred to allow the agent for the Public Trustee to further inquire into the position of the lease. The Commissioner said that arrears of rent to a considerable amount were due to the Board. Tlie Board decided to allow the matter to stand over for a month, in which time Mr. Coleman said he. would put forward some definite proposition. The Board dealt with the deferred question of acquiring 1400 acres of run 47, Ngatapa, leased by Messrs Hutchinson Brothers. The Commissioner said the land could not be roaded if tlie division was made, and’ it was decided to allow Messrs Hutchinson Brothers to have the use of the run for the full term of the lease, when tlie land would be dealt with by the Governor-in-Council. The. Commissioner and Messrs Akroyd and W right were appointed a committee to classify the run for the information of the Minister for Lands. The Board agreed to a scheme submitted by the Cook County Council for the expenditure of thirds and fourths amounting to £333 Is 7d. Mr. M. Gavin applied for permission to take John Fisher as partner into the lease, of section 3, Block 9, Tuahu. The Commissioner said the section contained 700 acres, and was bush land close to Wairoa. The land was right on the front of the settlement, and he was sure that Gavin could get on well enough if he desired. The danger was that Fisher, might he trying to get land without competition, as there had been 21 applicants for the section at the. ballot. Legally, the applicant could not take in a partner until he had held the land two years, and he had only been on the land a few months. Mr. Lane supported the application, as he thought the position of the money market made it essential that the application should have full consideration. The details showed that Gavin could better develop the land if he had a partner. He thought the Board might obtain further information before the application was refused. The application was. declined. Mr. Lane asked to have his objection to the decision recorded. Mr. F. Page applied for a lease over section 4, Block 12, Patutahi, lately held by E. Pardoe. Mr. S. Dudley also applied for the section. Tlie Commissioner said the land would have to be thrown open for public competition. He thought the section might he put up for tender as a miscellaneous grazing lease, with the right reserved for the settlers to take timber from the land. The applications were refused, and the Commissioner’s suggestion adopted. Mr. Kirk was before the Board for not complying with the residential conditions of his section at Te Arai. Mr. Kirk said lie had been trying to sell his store at Te Arai. but could not do so. He- was now living half-a-mile away from the section. The Commissioner said tlie section was a valuable one, and if the conditions were not complied with some other settler should bare a . chance. The land was worth £3O an acre, the area being 21 acres. The matter was deferred for three months, and allow Mr. Kirk time to reside on the land. Mr. P. W. Muir applied for a lease over section 15, Block 5. Turanganui, forfeited by C. J. V. Mnnn. The. application was declined, and it was, decided that-Mr. Muir be informed that the section would be open to public ballot. The Board decided to have notices sent to all settlers in arrears with rent due to the Board. The Board then went into committee on the question of renewals of the following small grazing runs:—Lot 1, run 44, Waingaromia S.D., lessee F. J. DeLisle. sub-lessee Wooller; lot 2, run 44, "Waingaromia S.D., lessee J. C/ Field; run 63, Hangaroa S.D., Robert Berry; run. 57, Hikurangi, Mata S. Eldred -Beck; run 53, Tokomaru S.D., A. H. Wallis; run 61, Motu S.D., G.'A. Smith. It' was decided ultimately to offer renewals of all the above puns ter the present lessees, at an increased rental in each case.