THE LANDS SCANDAL.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12258, 29 July 1905, Page 10

THE LANDS SCANDAL.

WILLIS TO BE BROUGHT BACK. United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, July 27. The Attorney-General has announced that tho Government intend to make an effort to bring back Willis. The sum of £33,000 has been paid in land agents' fees in the cases already investigated by the Lands Commission. ANOTHER SENSATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. , (Received July 29th. 1.5 a.m.) SYDNEY, July 28. Another sensational developm©nt has occurred in connection.with the Lands Commission. John Haynes deposed on oath that on the 13th inst; W. B. Melville visited his office, and asked if he would stay his hand in regard to Willis. Ho urged that ' by issuing warrants against Willis Haynes had gone far enough to vindicate his own character, and asked witness to withdraw further proceedings. "Melville said he had the authority of Willis, or Mis Willis, to make tho offer, and mentioned payment of £500. Asked for further proof of his authority, Melville next day produced a telegram from Perth, signed "Willis," declaring that h© had been brutally treated, but if the venomous attacks were stopped now, he would not be found lacking as regards money matters. Haynes told Melville that he was not satisfied with his bona fides, and Melville promised to communicate with Willis again. Haynes, meanwhile, communicated with the police, and when Melville next day came to tho office, a detective was hidden there. Melville produced another telegram from Willis, and subsequently a third, wherein Willis faithfully promised to keep tho compact contained in the first telegram, when h© returned to Sydney. The telegrams were addressed to Melville, who enjoined great secrecy on witness. Efforts had been made by witness and the police to obtain the original telegrams, but so far they had failed, and consequently no action had been taken.