ALLLEGED DUMMYISM.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVII, Issue 11225, 24 March 1897, Page 5

ALLLEGED DUMMYISM.

. A conEEsroNDENT, who professes |fco have taken some trouble to acquaint himself with the facts, has Supplied us with certain information . (concerning the sale of a pastoral license in the Canterbury Survey Dis- , trict which suggests that dutnmyism is not altogether unknown in this part of the. world. It is alleged that before the license was submitted to auction it was arranged between two Well-known runholders, who were debarred by the regulations from acquiring the property, and one of their friends, that the latter should purchase the lease and then transfer whatever rights it might confer to one of the runholders. Their compact was assisted by the only other intending purchaser omitting to observe some of the formalities required by the Land Act. They secured the ■■ lease at the upset price, and one of the runholders subsequently gave his cheque for the rent, while the other, by some arrangement between themselves, took possession of the property. I£ all this is true—-and our correspondent’s statements are supported by. documentary evidence *—it means, in plain language, that a conspiracy to defeat the intention of the Legislature has been successfully carried out, and that a large landholder has, in the expressive language of our correspondent, “mopped up another big slice of the public estate.” The declaration made by the purchaser contained the following clauses : “ (1) That I am purchasing the lease or license of such land solely for my own use and benefit, and not directly or indirectly for the use or benefit of any other person or persons whomsoever. (2) That lam not the holder of any lease or license in any part of the colony, nor have I any interest in any lease or license in contravention of Section 193 of the said Act. (3) That l am not the holder of a small grazing run in any part of the colony, nor havelanyinterestin any such run.” These were intended, of course, to prevent the very thing that appears to have occurred, and we trust that the Land Board at its meeting tomorrow will institute a searching inquiry into the whole matter. It would he a most unfortunate thing for the public if individuals were allowed to disregard with impunity the very proper regulations that have been provided for the occupation of the pastoral lands of the colony.