THE WILLIS CASE.

Bush Advocate, Volume XVII, Issue 173, 1 August 1905, Page 5

THE WILLIS CASE.

(United Press Association.) By Electric Telegraph — Copyright. Sydney, July 31 Melville, who was acting for Willis, 1 made a statement at the Land Commission. He admitted that lie offered £500, not to stop legal proceedings, but tc stop the venomous newspaper attacks which were causing AJrs Wilson and family much distress. He had detailed interviews with Haynes. who said that he was sorry for Mrs Willis, and also said that she must not take it all as against Willis. He didn't care twopence for him, but he wanted to get at Carruthers and Ashton. Willis was simply nothing, but the other fellows were , " pious hypocrites " whom he would bringdown. Haynes asked how much Willis would stand. Melville said he thought about £500. Haynes said : " Get the money and I'll drop Willis o'tt." Haynes visited witness at his private residence and urged him to communicate wich Willis, as the money would be useful to him just then. Melville showed that he was reluctant to produce his telegram to Willis, but he ultimately did so. On the face, it does not seem to indicate that the money was to stop newspaper attacks. Haynes, recalled, emphatically asserted that the money was offered to stop legal proceedings. He visited Melville with the hope of getting possession of rhe telegram. The Full Court fined the publisher of the "Newsletter" £50 and costs for commenting on Willis while action by the latter for libel against the paper was pending.