Eleven lots were available, and there were 10 applicants for them. Of the 10, however, four were not present for examination, and the board felt that there was not sufficient information available to justify it in making allotments to these applicants.
A fifth applicant withdrew. The other five applicants were successful, the board granting the allotments. The names of the men are: Messrs Donald Cameron, of Maungatua, run 558; Edmund Davey, of Oamaru, run 564; Philip B. N. Carmichael, of Kia Ora, Oamaru, run 542; Leonard John Wraight, Dunedin, run 538; Peter Williams, Dunedin, run 563.
The members of the board showed a keen desire to extend the most favourable conditions to the applicants, and resolved to recommend the Minister to grant a remission of rent until June 30, 1917, and to give the applicants a month in which to pay for the improvements with which the runs are loaded.
These may be considered exceptionally good terms, and will enable the men who have been to the front in the Empire's cause to make a start on their holdings without the anxiety of expenditure for rent in the meantime.
It is felt that they will probably be so far advanced as to be obtaining a return from their runs by the time that rent becomes due.
•The fall of snow in the Western district of Southland, which commenced on Wednesday week, was one of the heaviest experienced there, no less than nine inches lying on the ground on Thursday morning.
Work on the part of the sawmill hands was impossible, and as all the mills were compelled to close down between Colac Bay and the Waiau, considerable loss will result to the men affected, who number about 180.
However, it is expected that they will be able to resume this week. Three days' unemployment, the result of the visitation, means a loss in wages of no less than 270, a considerable amount.
Stout branches of manuka trees had to give way before the weight of the snow. It is reported that the Southland Sawmilling Company's operations at Te Wae Wae will be retarded, not only because of the snow, but on account of several bridges across the river having been swept away, but immediate steps will be taken to restore them in order to reduce the delay to a minimum.
On Thursday the Waiau River was greatly swollen, so much so, that considerable strain was put upon the bridge, the water almost reaching the level of the planking.
- ODT, 14.9.1916.
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