334 TiMEHRI. 



of this kind. I would also urge that a definition be 

 given to the term " beneficial occupancy" when used by 

 the Crown Lands Department in licensing and convey- 

 ance of land. As it stands now the term bids fair to be 

 a most formidable weapon in the hands of the Govern- 

 ment diplomatist for use against the purchaser of Crown 

 Lands from the Government. 



When licensing grants for wood-cutting purposes, I 

 think the power of making the grant should be vested in 

 the Governor to deal with as he may think fit both as re- 

 gards the welfares of grantee and the colony. 



" It does not appear that there has been a single in- 

 stance where it has been found expedient to put up any such 

 licenses to competition ;" as a matter of fa6l there might, 

 and would have been, had the grant-holders been men of a 

 different stamp to what they are. Now for instance, A. 

 takes out a grant in a creek and spends a matter of $i,ooo 

 or so in clearing, digging, and stop-offs and, otherwise 

 making the creek navigable. This A. does on the 

 assumption that if one grant does not recoup his out- 

 lay, another or 2nd mav, but before A. can see his 

 way financially to do so, B. steps in and takes out the 

 grant, A. has had in prospe6l, and makes use of A's in- 

 vested capital, in the navigable creek, to get his (B's) tim- 

 ber out cheaply, and in so doing generates a good deal of 

 fri6lion about the use of stop-offs, landings, &c., between 

 himself and A. So I think this well worthy of your attention 



" Laying out a grant in such manner as shall best, 

 enclose the trees" is most beneficial to the wood-cutter, 

 and has in my opinion effe6lually stopped much illegal 

 wood-cutting — the temptation was great and the manipu- 

 lation very easy 1 ! 



