A GOVERNMENT LAND PURCHASE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1272, 30 October 1911, Page 4

A GOVERNMENT LAND PURCHASE.

WHO WAS THE VENDOR? At one o'clock on Saturday morning when the Supplementary Estimates wero being hastily reviewed in the J louse of Representatives Mr. Massey directed the attention of members to an item in which the Government had made provision lor tho purchase of a block of land in the Taupo district, Hawke's Bay. Tlio item was us lollows:— Runanga Iso. la Block (T. Ballam): Purchase money of lli'JO acres to add to Poliokura Crown lands, JE3-171. Mr. Masfey asked Hie Prime Miuisler to give details of flic transaction. The Primo Minister staled that it was proposed to acquire a freehold block which was required to give access lo tho Poliokura Crown lands ill Hawke's Bay. Mr. Massey asked tor some iurlher information lis io the ownership of tho land remarking that his information was that the name of the owner was not Ballam. Tlio Prime .Minister, alter conferring with the I'ndsr-fcecrotary of Lands, stated tluit Mr. Baiiam was the registered owner of the laud. He asked Mr. Massey to slate what tie desired to know. Mr. Massey asked who negotiated t'hotransaction between tlio Crown and Mr. LaKam, The Prime Minister replied tho Commissioner of Crown Lauds iu Napier. "Perhaps," added tho Primo Minister, "the hon. gentleman has his suspicions!-'' Mr. Massey. "1 have. The statement' has been made to me that the owner of this laud is a member of tho House of Representatives." Sir Joseph Ward said Mr. Massey should give the name of his informant and the luimo of the member of Parliament. Mr. Massey: "No, I won't." This eloscd the discussion and the vote was passed.