NATIVE LAND DEAL.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19691, 7 August 1929, Page 16

NATIVE LAND DEAL.

ACTION AGAINST GOVERNMENT. [THE PBBSB Special B«rvi©#.] WELLINGTON, August 6. A report that Dr F. J. Raynor, of Auckland intends to proceed against the Government on a claim for damages in respect to an uncompleted timber land purchase was mentioned in. the House this afternoon. Mr W. Lee Martin (Lab., Raglan) asked the Minister in Charge of State Forests (Hon. Mr Taverner) whether his attention had been drawn to a newspaper report which gave particulars of an agreement between Dr. Raynor and Mr K. S. Williams for the Commissioner of State Foresta, and which stated that the timber rights of certain areas in the Rotorua district had been acquired from the Natives for £5500, and that a speculator desired to dispose of them for £IBO,OOO. If the facts were as reported, said Mr Martin, would the Minister take the earliest opportunity of making a statement to the House on the matter. Mr Martin further asked the Minister if the Dr. Raynor mentioned in the article was the same Dr. Raynor who figured in a previous land deal when he sold to the Railway Department for £27,000 a property be had purchased a few months previously for £3OOO. The Minister said that the subject was one that was at the present time before the Courts in relation to an action pending against the Government, and under the circumstances he did not think it was proper to make a statement. Mr W. E. Parry (Lab., Auckland Central): But is it the same Dr. Raynor? The Minister: As far as lam aware, j it is the same Dr Raynor. The Prime Minuter (Sir Joseph Ward), given permission to make a statement on the matter, said that the case was sub j a dice, and had nothing to do with the present Government. Have you anything to sell —Do you J wish to buy? If so, a small advertisement in the classified section of Th* Pmbs will be all you need. 12 words Is, three insertions 2s 6d. —6 A street sale of cakes, produce, etc., was held in Rangiora yesterday in aid of the proposed swimming baths at the j High School, and realised £lO 10s. i