MISMANAGEMENT ALLEGED

Evening Star, Issue 22683, 24 June 1937, Page 14

MISMANAGEMENT ALLEGED

HUNTER ESTATE STATION DAMAGED WOOL AND SKINS [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, June 24, In the Hunter case to-day, Edward f.eslio Hazelton, a wool expert, of Wellington, said that twice in May he inspected a quantity .of wool and skins from the station in a Wellington store. Some of the skins were badly damaged, carrying earth or sand, and some of the wool apparently had been burned or singed. Other wool appeared to have been buried. Burial, while damp, could have caused the scorching. Had the loose wool been undamaged it would have been worth to-day lOd to Is per lb, and some of the wool still had a saleable ‘ value. He could see not the slightest excuse for burying or burning the skins and wool. Some qf the skins he saw were properly treated, but somo were misshapen, through being thrown over posts, and somo were badly weatherbeaten, the pelts being valueless. He saw no signs of weevils; in any of f&e skins ho examined. Cross-examination was postponed until more evidence is forthcoming as to the exact source of some of the wool spoken of by -witness.