WILLIS EXTRADITED.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 139, 13 June 1906, Page 7

WILLIS EXTRADITED.

THE APPEAL WITHDRAWN. [FBZSS ASSOCIATIOK.] (Received June 13, 8.30 a.m.) HETERMARITZBURG, 12th June. The Natal Government will extradite W. N. Willis in connection with the alleged land frauds in New Soutfo Wales. Further grounds of appeal have been •withdrawn, and Willis has placed himself at the authorities' disposal. He has been granted bail until three hours before sailing- for Australia. The extradition proceedings taken against Willis have engaged tihe attention of the court at Durban for some time. On the 26th April a long legal argument took place as to whether there was sufficient presumption or probability of guilt to- justify tho Judge ordering the extradition. Mr. Livingston (who appeared tor Willis) argued that the whole proceeding Was a huge political move on the parb of the Labour party, and in support of his contention quoted extracts from Hansard's record of the agitation in the New South Wales Parliament for the extraditfion of Willis. Mr. Calder (on" behalf of the Grown), referring to the depositions in connection with the charge, pointed out that the ■ whole business had been "engineered" from Willis's office, either for his own benefit or that of his family. Even were it established that there was a political ferment at the time, that did not affect tine case If what was alleged against Willis was true no wonder there was political ferment and a popular clamour that ho should be brought back to stand his tlrial. He contended that there was a strong and probable presumption of guilt, and that being go, his Worship should commit. Mr Livingston replied, that whatever Willis's office or his wife had, done did not affect) Willis. The charges were so trivial, and the penalties, oven if Wilhs were found guilty, so small, that the Magistrate was not justified in committing. Thd Magistrate, in a reeerved judgment deliveied on Ist May, said he had not to try the case to decide whether Willis was guilty or not guilty, but the papers submitted, to his mind, established a "strong or probable" presumption that the fugitive committed the offence mentioned in the warrant He accordingly committed Willis to prison to await his return to New .South Wales in terms of the Fugitive Offenders Act. Notice oi appeal was given, but to-day'e cable advices intimate bhat the appeal has not been proceeded with.