THE CHARGES OF DUMMYISSM.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIX, Issue 9986, 15 March 1893, Page 5

THE CHARGES OF DUMMYISSM.

TPeb P»sss Association.l NEW PLYMOUTH. March 14. The Land Board met this morning to enquire into certain land transactions in this district; and the whole morning was occupied in discussing bow the evidence should be taken. Mr Samuel, who appeared, said a number of witnesses had been summoned to give evidence, but on what had not been set out in the summonses. Mr Eoy. who appeared for the Board, said ha wished to call witnesses to ascertain if charges should be formulated against any persons. Mr Samuel objected to that mode of procedure. The Board adjourned to consider the matter until two o’clock. The Land Board, at 2 p.m., gave its decision in reference to Mr Samuel’s application in the alleged dammyism cases, that it considered it only fair that the charges should be duly formulated. Counsel for the Land Board then formulated a charge against P. H, Peace, who apparently occupied Section 2, Block L, Ngatimaru, for his own use and benefit, whereas he occupied it for the benefit of J. S’. Peace and E. 0. Hendy, who supplied him with money. The defence was,' that J. 1. Peace had supplied money to his brother to get a section of land in order to give him a start in lire. Evidence was given by H. W. Chimie, surveyor, that he had done work on the land, and had been paid for it by a cheque signed Hendy and Peace. P. H. Peace was a labouring man, and witness understood that Hendy ahd Peace were acting as his agents. E. o’Donovan staled that ho had a conversation with Hendy as to the ownership of the section in question, and Hendy said it wan owned by J. P. Peace, who had thousands of acres besides. Witness slated that be had given information to the Government, and was the cause of the enquiry being held. Ho admitted that he had been in negotiation for the purchase of the sect ion, and that he gave information to the Government because he believed Hendy and Peace had humbugged him. The enquiry was adjourned till to-morrow.