The sitting of the Hawke's Bay Land Hoard at Napier on Friday was devoted almost entirely to Poverty Bay business, another argument for the establishment of a local Board. The Receiver of Land Revenue was authorised to pay valuations for improve ments on four sections in the Nuhaka district. It ivas resolved to offer the lands in blocks 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 13, Ngatapa district,, on the optional system, and small grazing runs 76 and 77 undjr part 6 of the Land Act. It was decided to recommend the Gov ernment to open 277 acres of the Manga tokerau block for selection. The Commissioner was empowered !o deal with an offer from A. McLean to lease section 8, block 8, Nuhaka, and to make inquiries with relation to plac ing a Maori reserve at Waimata. North on the market. The following applications for land in the Motu district were granted : Mar garet F. Fraser, section 18, block 3, Annie Fraser, section 17, block 3; William Richardson, section 1, block 5; Emma McNeill, section 7, block 2; Robert Johnston, section 8, block 2; E. A. Phelps, section 9, block 2; E. W. Burton, section 10, block 2. The ap plication of William Nevill for section 2, block 1, and section 2, block 6, Mata, was also granted. Instructions were issued to notify certain defaulting lessees under the land for settlement, perpetual lease, and im proved farm settlement systems that they must pay. half a year's rent before the next meeting of the Board. The following miscellaneous leases were declared forfeited owing to the non-payment of rent: Sections 9 and 14, Ormond, Edward Whitlock; and sec tion 3, block 3, Waiau, Miss M. G Lundon. With regard to the drainage of the Mahora settlement, and an application for remission of rent owing to damage by flood waters, the Board decided to await the action of the local bodies.
