The Cadman-Rees Libel Case. (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) NAPIER, June 19.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XX, Issue 2459, 20 June 1893, Page 2

The Cadman-Rees Libel Case. (PER PRESS ASSOCIATI ON.) NAPIER, June 19.

Expert evidence was called this morning in the Cadman-Rees case, to show that the value of the Umutaoroa block was from £3 to JJ4 an acre instead of £1 6d, the valuation placed on it by the Land Tax assessor/and that so far back as 1882 it was rated at £2 an acre, unimproved value.

The clerk to the Towr Board expressed tbe opinion that the Umutaoroa was under-valued in proportion to other properties in the neighbourhood, and he had called attention to the fact. Tbe evidence taken in Wellington was read to show that originally the block was an alienable native reserve, bat the restrictions were taken off.

The manager of the Union Bank gave evidence as to the bank's aocount with Messrs Gasman and Bees. Mr Cadman had paid considerable sums into tbe account. He and Mr Smith had drawn out moneys on their own account, the cheques for each being equal in amount. Then natives shares were purchased by oheques signed by Messrs Cadman and Smith. Mr Smith signed tbe cheques, but cheques signed by Mr Cadman would be equally honored. B. L. Knight, sawmiller, proved that he held a sublease of Umutaoroa from Mr Cadman and Smith, and had paid £4,302 in royalties prior to 1890, and about £500 a year since. The lease included a lot of plant. Capt. Russell gave evidence as to what occurred in the last two years in Parliament in connection with native affairs. Other evidence showed that Smith was one of tbe attesting justices to the application of restrictions on Umutaoroa m 1888. Smith had telegraphed to the Native Minister on the enbject, and Irvine, then a partner of Smith's, forwarded the application to the Native Minister. Bees was under examination when the Court rose.