DR. CAMPBELL AND THE PIAKO LANDS.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1771, 18 October 1875, Page 3

DR. CAMPBELL AND THE PIAKO LANDS.

Dit. Campbell has telegraphed to the Chairman of the Piako Grant Title Committee, Legislative Council, shewing that the land in question, for which a title was obtained under the Land Transfer Act, by a declaration alleged to be false, was purchased by Mr Mackelvie during his (Dr. Campbell's) absence from Auckland, and that the firm held a Crown grant for it. He says :—" On Mr Mackelvie's retirement from the firm, the whole of these properties without exception were submitted to auction on the 30th August, 1871, and Mr Russell became the purchaser of this block. The deeds were handed over to Whitaker Russell for the preparation of the required title in favour of Mr Kussell. Instead of taking customary title from existing Crown grant and conveyances therefrom, the declaration to have tbe title under the Land Transfer Act, was placed before me by Whitaker and Russell for my signature. This was given (as also, I believe, by power of attorney from Mr Mackelvie to me—his signature) as it would have been given for any other land held from a Crown grant having a clearjjtitle and in hona fides, believing that every statement set forth in that

declaration was literally true, and in utter ignorance that there was any reason whatever why such a declaration should not be made. I most emphatically deny having any previous knowledge whatever regarding this land, or having even the faintest suspicion that the Crown grant was not as good as any other of my Crown grants, clear of all doubt or claim whatsoever, and the land open to be taken possession of and occupied in the usual manner, And, in this belief, the land was handed over by me to be sold by the auctioneer, and I proceeded to the execution of the title when demand was made. And this is all and whole I know or ever did know." Dr Campbell very reasonably protests against the language used in the committee's report without any inquiry regarding the circumstances under which the declaration was made.