THE MOKAU DEAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14853, 2 December 1911, Page 7

THE MOKAU DEAL.

WHEN MR. MCNAB CAME IN.

HOW THE SURVEY FEES WERE PAID. Some fresh information regarding the Mokau transaction was given by the leader of tho Reform Party to his audience at Remuera last evening.

Discussing tho part which Mr. Robert McXab had taken, Mr. Massey" contradicted the statement that Mr. McNab had not appeared upon the scene until six weeks after the issue of the Order-in-Counoil. It was true that towards the end of last year it was understood on the part of the Government that the authority for the purchase would be given. What actually occurred was that Mr. Mc-, Nab joined the company on January 26, and the executive decided to issue the Order-in-Council at a meeting on March 15. Usually such an order was not effective until it had been gazetted, but in this instance, the transaction was completed a week" - before tho authorising order was gazetted on.March 30. * The position of the land taken in payment of the survey -fees was explained Mr. Massev said- the fees amounted to nearly £1500, and 5021 acres were set aside in payment. It was unquestionable that the area became Crown land. What had now been : done was that arrangements had been i made with the company to take over this area of 5021 acres on the understanding that the company found the £1500. which the survey cost. By a certain amount <of • manipulation, the land has been handed over to the company for 5s lOd per acre," added Mr. Massey. "There will be an inquiry into ' this later on, and then we shall obtain . all the facts.'*