NATIVE LAND DEAL

NZ Truth, Issue 472, 4 July 1914, Page 7

NATIVE LAND DEAL

WAS EVERYTHING BONAJIDE AND ABOVE BOARD? A DISPUTED AGREEMENT: MAORIS WATCHER AND WARYv Solicitor Sullivan Seeks Satisfaction. Barrister Blomfield's Bounce Benefits Nobody.

[From "Truth's" Auckland Rep.]

Recently, in* Auckland, Sir Joseph Ward, m a press interview, intimated

thsit he had received certain information • concerning deals m native land, which he considered were not m the best' interests of the country, and' further hinted that more would be heard of the matter, "Truth" presumes, m Parliament. Incidentally, m a leading article last week, "Truth" called on Sir Joseph /Ward to make public all he knew, and intimated that it would also throw, some lignt on some deals m native land which, to use Sir Joseph's words, "were not m the best interests of tile country." "Truth" has an idea that it knows that Sir Joseph should know, indeed, that the whole of New Zealand should^ know. . Whether, however, Sir J. Ward's .remarks had any' particular application to certain native land deals which, on Wednesday last, concerned Judge Wilson m the Native Land Board, Auckland, is not known, but the indications are

better for everybody* concerned. The. Native Land Board was sitting on Wednesday when Mr. J. j. Sullivan, acting on- behalf of certain natives, who are parties to the agreement with Mrs. Rachael Winifred Elibtt, took the opportunity of mentioning to presiding Judge Wilson that he was opposing the confirmation of the lease ofcertain native property to one Mrs. Winnie Alison, daughter-in-law of the redoubtable E. W. Alison, and would like; to ask. for an explanation concerning "> transfer of 80 acires of. the same block to Mrs. „ Rachael Winifred Eliott. In effect, Mr. Sullivan said that the Native Land Board had approved of a transfer, other consideration being £1600, but of which

ONLY £720" HAD BEEN PAID. He wanted to know what security the natives had for receiving the balance. He also asked for an explanation as to how the area had jumped up- since the confirmation by the Board from 80 acres to 82 acres and 10 perches."