LAND BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3804, 15 April 1913, Page 6

LAND BOARD.

' MONTHLY MEETING

A meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Land Board was held at the Lands’ Office yesterday morning, and attended by the Commissioner (Mr. R. T. Sadd), and Messrs T. Hyde, R. B. Ross, and A. J. pameron, tho last named taking his seat for the first time.

WELCOME TO MR CAMERON. The Commissioner extended a welcome to Mi;, Cameron from the Board, Since he had taken office, he said, the members of the Board had worked together most amicably, and there had not Been the slightest friction of any kind during their deliberations.. From what he knew of Mr Cameron, he considered that the Board would find him a most useful and valuable member, possesing, as he did, an intimate knowledge of the land question and also of human nature. Mr. Cameron thanked the Board fpr their kindly welcome. As far as lie could see the Board had always given the tenants a square deal. He asked them to bear with him until lie got a-grip of the procedure oi the Board.

TRANSFERS. Anthony Dean applied to transfer renewable lease 68, Section 6, Otoko Village, comprising \ acre to Charles McDonald. As the residential conditions had not been complied with, the application was declined. E M. Trafiord, applied to transfer O.R.P. 278, Section 21, Block VIII., Hangaroa, containing 27.5 acres, to F. Read and-H. Hamilton. The application was granted, Mr. Coleman appearing in support. F M. O’R. Heron applied to transfer O.R.P. lease 383, Section 1, Block L, Waikohu, containing 722 acres, to E. M. Trafford. # This application was also granted. Mr. Coleman appeared in support. The following application to transfer was declined : O. iSwarhrick to J. (J. Swarbriek, O.R.P. lease 429, Section 18, Block L, Waikohu, 722 acres. Mr. Coleman appeared in support, and explained that the reason for the transfer was that the married brother desired to live near a school.

The Commissioner pointed out that the residential conditions had not been complied with. Mr Swarbriek, son., attended before the Board, and explained that he had had to take up his residence in town in order to he near the doctor. It would he necessary for his son, O. Swarbriek, to look after tho farm at Tarewa, and this was tlio reason the transfer was asked for.

After discussion, during which it was pointed out that it would he a had precedent to grant the transfer in the face of non-compliance with the residential conditions, it was decided to decline the transfer. Mr. Swarbriek.‘stm.. stated that his son had complied with the conditions as to permanent residence as well ns most of the tenants of the Board were doing. The Commissioner: Perhaps; hut they are not asking lor transfers. 4he application of 1). R. Caldwell to transfer S.C.R. 75\ , Run 68, Mang'ttii. 1431 acres, to D. R. and T. H. Caldwell, was granted. Permission was given 51. E. Wallis to transfer Education reserve 208. Seri ions 2 and 3. Blocks Nil and VUE, Hikufangi, .’167 acres, to A. H. Wallis.

COl -1R ESpOXD EXC E. strs T. Greaves applied for remission of one rear’s rent on Section 5. Black XV., "Waikohu S.D., Xgatapa settlement, a miscellaneous lease expiring on December 31, 1915. The applicant stated that they had been burned out recently, without being covered by insurance, and lmd practi--ally lost everything. Her husband had a short time ago to be removed to a mental asylum. it was pointed out that the rent for the section was in arrears.

The application was declined. J. J. Prendergast gave notice of his intention to purchase the fee simple pi ILL.B. 178. Section 4. Block N 5 Waikolm, Ngatapi Settlement. It was decided to refer the matter to the Valuer-General. Tho Clerk of the Waiapu County Council applied to be given tho control of Section 1, Black X., Tuatini Township, containing 2 acres 2 ltiods IS' perches, gazetted as a reserve for public. buildings and now leased to 51r. W. Oates, Senr.

The Commissioner explained that it was desired to retain the section as a cricket ground. Tlio section was now leased to 51 r Gates for £2 a year. It was decided to decline the ap-

plication, as no other section had been set aside for the erection of public buildings. Mr. Ross remarked that the c ricketers should be satisfied, as the year to year lease was the most satisfactory form of any. J. S. Cooper applied for a lease ol Section 4 1, Tiniroto Village, containing 5 acres, and offered an annual rental of £l. The Commissioner pointed out that the applicant held several miscellaneous leases in the district, and was keeping them clear of ragwort. The land Hold. by. him was the cleanest m tin' district .

Tho lease was approved. \V. E. Holder, Chairman of the Public Hall trustees, town of Buckley (To!oga Bay), applied to have (section 12, Block Vlil., (gazetted as a 51echanies’ Institute), exchanged for Section 12. Block XIV. (each containing 1 rood) Crown Lands, and have same vested in trustees. The Commisisnner pointed out that residents of Tuloga Bay desired to have all their public buildings in the mam street, and lie saw no reason why the request should not he complied with. ' The Board could dispose of the other section, along with others it held in the township. The application was granted. J. McLaughlin applied for a rehearing with regard to forfeiture ol ILL.B. 189, .Section 7, Block XV., Waikohu (Ngatapa Settlement). ; 51 r McLougliliu appeared, before the Board, with his solicitor (51 r. 11. J. Finn), and was examined oil catli by the Commissionei.

Tlio Board then went into committee to deal with the question, and on resuming in open Board the Commissioner intimated that the Board had decided to abide by its previous decision to forfeit the section. Mrs Catherine Death applied to transfer ILL. 55, Section 4, Block VII., Ngatapa, 662 acres, to H. B. and F. W. Gardiner. Mr. Kirk appeared in support of the application, and stated that the reason for the request was that the lessee’s health was such that it was impossible for her to reside in the country. The proposed transferees were desirable settlers,' and the Board would biy gaining by agreeing to the transfer. Dr. Reeve gave evidence regarding the applicant’s health, which bore out counsel’s-statement. The Commissioner pointed out that the improvement conditions laid not been complied with. Mr. Kirk, afte rconsulting with one of the proposed transferees, who was present-, gave an undertaking that the improvement conditions would be complied with. The Commissioner pointed out that the matter would have,to be referred to the Minister-,, arid promises were no good in Wellington. The matter was eventually left in the Commissioner’s hands, with power to deal with, as soon as the improvement conditions had been complied with CROWN SETTLEMENTS. The following reports concerning the Crown Lands settlements in the dis-

trict were submitted bv the Ranger (Mr. D. G. Robertson): Willows Estato: 21 sorptions, area 775 acres 1 rood 36 perches, annual rental £758 10s 2d, area under crop 61 acres 2 roods, number of buildings 16, total value improvements £7730. numbers of persons 81, sheep 925. cattle 294, horses 71, pigs 162. To Aral: Sections 29, area 10,54 A acres 2 roods 39 porches, annual rent £5,423 Is, .area under crop 389 acres, number of buildings 53, value ol buildings £12,795, total value of improvements £42,739 12s Gd, number of persons 211, .sheep 17,460, oattlo 2,340, horses 234, pigs 589. Ngatapa: Sections 24, area 10,.j27 acres 3 roods 20 perches", annual rent £3720 14s, area under crop 318 acres, number of buildings 24, value oJ guildings £6265, total value of improvements £31,579 16s 3d, number of persons. 97, sheep 17,650, cattle lild, horses 122, pigs 82. PoTiparac: Section 9, area 336 acres 1 rood 12 perches, annual rent £.105 Bs, area under crop 42 acres, number of ouilcungs 9, value ol bui.din<r,s £3525, total value of improvements £5,539 15s, number of persons 59. sheep 150, cattle 145, horses 63, pigs 50. , ~ IC , Wai marie: Number of sections 18, area 425 acres 3 roods 14 perches, annual rent £463 11s, number of bulkbigs 16. value of buddings 4.1,240, total value improvements £0,221 ids, number of persons 7, sheep 2/o, cattle 114, horses 47, pigs 52. Clydebank: Number of sections 23, area 9660 acres, annual rent £23/7 16s number of buildings 21, value ol buddings £3380. total value of improve me i its £lß,iio6 4> t)d. area ni; c-? i eroi) 141 acres, number of people 09, sheep 14,130, cattle 983, horses 103. pigs 20. Wigan: Number of sections 1/, area 10 044 acres 2 roods 6 perches, annual rent £2.823 3s JOd. number of bundmgs 18, value of buildings £7085. total value of 9s lid, number of persons 67, sheep 20.650, cattle 1800, horses 145, mgs 39. • , . Kanakanaia: 5296 acres, annual rent £2112, value of buildings £2llO, other improvements £5294, total improvements £15,010, persons oil settlement 38, sheep 10,450,' cattle 860, horses 83, pigs l -