THE WAIMARAMA COMMISSION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13812, 28 January 1907, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE WAIMARAMA COMMISSION.

NAPIER, January 8. A Commission of Inquiry was opened at Hustings to-day before Mr J. W. Poynton, Publio Trustee, into certain allegations said to have been made to the effect that tho signatures of some Natives to a deed of sale of a portion of tho Waimarama Block to the Government had been obtained while the Natives were under tho influence of drink. Tho evidence of tho whole of (he witnesses, with ono exception, was in disproof of the allegations.

HASTINGS, January 9.

The Public Trustee opened an inquiry yesterday into the charges made in connection with tho purchase of certain interests in ' the Waimarama Estate. The charges were made against Mr T. W. Lewis, a well-known Native solicitor and interpreter, and againet Mr Horley, assistant to Mr Sheridan, head of tho Native Land Purchase- Department, accusing them of inducing Natives to sell land at Waimarama to tho Government while the Natives were in a state of drunkenness. Tho evidence taken this morning denied the accusation, the- Natives mentioned all deposing that they were quite sober when tho transactions woro made, and that they deaired to sell. The person who made the charges to the Prime Minister and asked for an inquiry was Miss Mcinertzhagen, who held leases from the Natives, and did not want the land sold. In evidence she denied mating the charges against Messrs Lewis and Horlej', her counsel (Mr Morrison, of Wellington) submitting that the letter to the Prime Minister (produced) was privileged. The solicitor for Lewis objected to his client givinpr evidence when tho charges wero not rnado and the accusers were- under a hedpn.- Miss Mcinertzhagen swore that the Natives mentioned in tho commission were under the influence of drink on the day tlioy signed the transfer of (he land. After much discussion between the trustee and counsel as to tho legality of Mr Lewie giving evidence, the inquiry was clo&ed. The commission practically ended by passing the evidence for the defence, clearing the accused. Tho proceedings evoked much local interest on tha part of Maoris and Europeans.

FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS. WELLINGTON, January 15.

The inquiry made by tho Public Trustee into alleged malpractice in connection with the sale to tho Government of certain Native interests in the Waimarama. Block, Hawke's Bay, exonerates all against whom there were reflections. The charges were that Native signatures were- obtained whiletho Natives were in a- state of intoxication. Mr Poyniton, who hold the inquiry, has no doubt that tho Natives wore quit* 6ober ■when they attested tho document. HASTINGS, January 15.

In connection with tho recent Waimarama inquiry, tho accused parties have 'issued- a writ tor libel imainst the person who, it is alleged, was responsible for the oharges. The case will probably be heard in Maroh. but the question as to whether or not a. letter written to the Premier cmbodying tho charges is privileged has to ho Bottled in the meantime. NAPIER, January 15.

A writ claiming £2000 damages has br>eu served on Miss Meinortzhagen by T. W, Lewis, solicitor, as the outcome of tho recent Waimarama inquiry.