STORMY LAND BOARD MEETING.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 609, 11 September 1909, Page 13

STORMY LAND BOARD MEETING.

"FAIR PLAY AND ENGLISH JUSTICE." '•i. (Dy Tck'ffrapU.-Hpcnlal CurrcsDpndent.i ' Napier, September 10. ■ Tho Hawko's Bay Land Board' 'has achiovod an unpleasant notoriety owing to tho Tna'nncr in which the representative of the Crown tenants. (Mr. Eustace Lano) comes into contact .with tho other. members, and another ''scene", occurred ,'to-day. At tho last mooting tlie board declined to grant a •transfer .of a: section to a Mrs. Thomas on tho .ground that sho would nofc.be ablo to comply : with the rcoulontial conditions, and an application camo.;beforo them to-day to reconsider their decision. Mr. Thomas (the ■applicant's hiisbaiid) came. down to git'o evi-: denco in ' supjiort,' and the question of admitting him to hear tho proceedings brought Mr. Lano to his ■■.fe'ot. > Tho speaker con- ■ tondod that the applicant had every right to ■bo ptesentVaind to hear tho evidence. - • The commissioner (Sir. Brodrick)' was-, adverse this'course, his reasons, and a warm discussion ensued, in which Mr. liana said that if tho board -would not hear Mr. Thomas, ho would'lcavo the room. He would test the feeling of tho country. Ho was not goinjj to remain. and allow Mr.Thomas to bo'disoussed behind his, (Mr. Thomas's) back.

Mr. Brodrick saidthat-ho had ; no personal animus against' Mr.- Thomas, but if ho had to speak :«at 'in front-of bird, it. would make intolerable mischief. , *'

Mr. Lane replied that they were not going to say .anything behind Mr.. Thomas's back. He : waß his representative*; and if they were not going to allow him in he was going out of, we room. It was only fair play and' English; justice to allow tho man to bq heard. •' Mr. Brodrick observed that .ho (Mr. Thdmas) to going to make a statement about his .financial: position. ~ Mr.-Lane retorted that ho would make a note of that.

Furthor heated discussion followed,, and,' >midst, interruption, Mr. Lane' said that this would bring matters to a crisis, and proceeded to relate what had befallen Mr. Brodrick's predecessor. . -. 1 ; Mr, Brodrick .rotortcd that Mr, Lane need not try to intimidate him. He always did his duty, , to. tho best of his ability. Mr. Brodrick' then explained Mr. Thomas's position, and Mr.. Lane, jn reviewing! the'chairman's . statement, concluded by remarking •' that it was tho Government and Land' Boards who were responsible for child slavery. A! motion moved by Mr. Lane: "That the resolution of the board bo roscinded and tho transfer granted," was not' seconded, and lapsed. ' / Mr. 'Thomia, 'who had been allowed to remain in the .room,' intimated his intention of appealing to the Supremo Court, which ho said wtittld. know more about tho matter than the board'itself. : .