ALLEGED FRAUD

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 49, 27 February 1934, Page 10

ALLEGED FRAUD

; SALE OF A PROPERTY

CITRUS COMPANY- SUED

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

This Day

An action was begun today in the Supreme Court in .which John Arthur M. O.! Goodford is suing New. Zealand Citrus Plantations, Limited, and :>Vil* liani Harry Ball and Da/vid Bufus Williams for £840..paid :to- the company, £198 for steamer fares' from"England, and £200 general.damages, also for rescission of contract. ' ' ■■ * '■ ■

The two persons named were directors of the company. Counsel said that the contract was: to purchase twelve acres of land seven miles from Kaeo, North Auckland.1 The plaintiff alleged that he was induced to buy the property by fraudulent misrepresentation- of the company's agent in London, David Rufus Williams. Counsel said that Su October, 1930, questions were asked in Parliament about the; company, and as a result a Government official inspected its operations and furnished a very adverse -report,.' ( but no change was made in the company's literature as a 'result...Counsel gave a lengthy outline of the company's history, and read jovidenco taken in England on the~ plaintiff 's side. 'Counsel asserted that- tho plaintiff found himself in a tragic position, as a few! hundred lemon' and orange trees had been stuck into the soil without shelter, and with, only a pretence at cultivation, so that they had no prospect of having any commercial- value. The company had: refused him any redress. ■ ; . The- defendants ■ deny the y plaintiff's allegations. . The hearing is proceeding.