SECOND EDITION. MR LANE AND THE H.B. LAND BOARD.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXII, Issue 60, 12 March 1910, Page 5

SECOND EDITION. MR LANE AND THE H.B. LAND BOARD.

At the meeting of the board at Napier yesterday, the Commissioner said that before adjourning he would like to call the board's attention to Mr Eustace Lane's address to the Crown tenants, published in the papers last month as an advertisement. He'particularly wanted to call attentioii to the disgraceful insinuations contained in the last paragraph of the advertisement. The portion of the paragraph referred to read as follows:—"I do not wish to boast of anything I have achieved for j'ou, but it is my reward to know that not a meeting has passed but that 1 have been able to ren-; der a service to some one—iree-r-for 1 have steadfastly refused all pickings, setting myself to faithfully keep: my rjledges and uphold the consistency, the honor, integrity, and ability of the Hawkc's Bay Laud Board."

The. Commissioner, continuing,: said Mr Lane was noted for his wild and inaccurate statements, and he .(the Commissioner) had debated in" his own mind whether he should let the matter pass or bring it before- the board for discussion. He concluded that what Mr Lane suggested was such a gross libel on the other'members of the~ board, that he ought to give them an opportunity of l'giMsdiating the implied charge. ■. Wj&a&yer Mr Lane had meant by it ther'o nyas reason to believe that the public c who were not personalty acquainted with the members oi the' board, might think that he was insinuating that the board was taking all "sorts of "pickings." The paragraph seemed to insinuate that something was going on that was not going on. There was not a shadow of reason for insinuating anything like that. He thought they should take some action", ask Mr Lane to explain, and obtain; opinion as to whether it was.not possible to take legal proceedings. He did not know what Mr Lane thought, about it, but he would like the board's opinion. As to the ejection of Mr, Lane, he (the Commissioner) had done what 'he did ater a great deal of thought. Mr Lane's conduct was such that it became absolutely necessary to take some standing, and he (the Commissioner) had obtained legal opinions before coming to the meeting referred to, and had closely followed, the instructions lie had received from his legal advisers.

Mr Groome /said he had been a member of the board for many years, and had never had any one approach, him in any way. ' Mr Wright said he had never had any one approach him regarding any "pickings.'' He was always ready to give advice to any one enquiring about land, but if any man '.offered., him remuneration, he would quickly; show him the door. •

Mr Akroyd bore out what the other members had said. The temptation in their position was to be out of pocket. The Commissioner said he thought they should write to Mr Lane. and ask him what he meant, and if he meant anything he could say so. Mr Groome moved, "That the board having read the address published in the advertisement of Mr Lane's, which passed such grave reflections upon the board, the Commissioner be requested to write to Mr Lane, asking him to state specifically what he means." „ The motion was seconded by Mr Wright and carried. —Herald report.