MR. GRAHAM AND ROTORUA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5669, 31 May 1879, Page 2

MR. GRAHAM AND ROTORUA.

(X'BR PRESS, AGENCY.) Aucklanb, Friday,

Mr. Robert Graham’s case was heard at the Police Court to-day. Mr. Graham was charged with a breach of the Government Native Laud Purchase Act, 1877, the Government Native ■Land Purchase Act Amendment Act, 1877, and the Land Act, 1877, with being in unauthorised occupation of certain lands situate in the Rotorua district, in the North Island of the Colony of New Zealand, known by the name of Te Rotorua, for the acquisition of which negotiations had been previously entered into on behalf of her Majesty, and notification signed by the Governor of the said colony that the said negotiations had been so entered into for the acquisition of the said lands as had been previously published in the N.Z. Gazette, the said Robert Graham not being the aboriginal occupier of such lands. The second information was exactly similar, with the exception that money had been previously paid on behalf of Her Majesty after “ purchase or acquisition of.” Mr. Brookfield, Crown Prosecutor, appeared for the Government, and Mr. Jas. Russell and Mr. Hesketh for the defence. Mr. Graham pleaded not guilty. Air. Brookfield quoted a clause of the Act of 1877, and the second clause of the Act of 1878, and stated that in March last a proclamation was issued under the hand of the Governor and gazetted, prohibiting private persons from dealing with the lands specified. Mr. Graham occupied the land on 31st March, and built a house thereon. He quoted section 165 of the Land Act, 1877. Mr. D. A. Tole, Chief Commissioner of the Native Lands Court, deposed to the native proceedings. No actual survey of the block had been made, and no documents were in his possession to show that money had been paid on the block. A survey of observation bad been made, and a sketch map prepared. In consequence of the illness of Air. Brookfield the case was adjourned till to-morrow.