Hawke’s Bay Waste Lands Board.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 327, 20 July 1889, Page 3

Hawke’s Bay Waste Lands Board.

At the last meeting of the above the following business of interest to this district Was transacted From George Bee, applying to purchase two totara trees on Rotokakuaga block for ten shillings each.—-Granted, From George Kent, re improvements on D.P. land at Hangaroa.—Explanation received. .. From Thomas Weeks, re arrears duo on section 7, block HL, Motu.—Rent tb be demanded from the lessee. Mr G. Stubbs, of Gisborne, appeared before the Board and complained of a great hardship. The section he held, number 128, block VII., Patutahi, was selected by Mr Lysnar about nine years ago, at a deferred-, payment price of 22s (5d per acre, namely, £ll3 for 100 acres. Mr Tole, the Auckland Commissioner, had assured Mr Lysnar that a road would almost immediately oe made to it. About four years afterwards he purchaseed from Mr Lysnar ; there was a residence then upon it. The residence got beyond repair, and by arrangement with Mr Mossman, he built a three-roomed cottage upon the land adjoining his section. Seven months ago the road was made to his section, but at that time he had decided to leave Poverty Bay ; so far as he was concerned a cottage upon section 128 would now be useless. Mr Tole in Auckland and Mr Featon in Gisborne both thought he was warranted in building where he could get dray access, but neither had the power to officially authorise him to do so. He would also point out the shocking bargains they, the early settlers, made in giving three times the present value of adjoining lands, when they had no roads or inducements, while recent settlers adjoining his section were able the land upon perpetual lease with a purchasing clause of 7s 6d the acre. The land was of precisely the same nature as his. He had paid off a good deal of money, and now owed £75, namely 15s per acre, far more than the value of the land. He had no wish to repudiate his bargain, but only asked the Board to give him such relief as they might be able to do. He would like to pay up the £75 and be done with the whole matter. He had 100 sheep on the section for three or four years, but got starved cut, and was forced to leave it. The Board, after considering the matter, decided to accept the purchase money.