THE "PICTURESQUE ATLAS CASES." Invercargill, August 13.

Otago Witness, Issue 1906, 21 August 1890, Page 14

THE "PICTURESQUE ATLAS CASES." Invercargill, August 13.

The " Picturesque Atlas " case was on again in the R.M. Court to-day. Defendant deponed that Metcalf, the canvasser, represented that he was a delegate from the New South Wales and Victorian Governments, whioh had subsidised the work, and that the New Zealand Government also would do so to the extent of £10,000 if a sufficient number of signatures of patrons were obtained, and on that representation defendant signed one book, and then had another placed before him " as a mere matter of form." This was the order for the book, which he did not read. He also swore that Metoalf told him that if he did not like the first number he need not take the rest. He took 14 parts in block under a threat of proceedings next day, but recently threw another lot into a ditch when an attempt was made to deliver them. The K.M. is admitting evidence, subjeot to argument, to Bhow that Metcalf made similar statements to others re his delegation from the Australian colonies. This will lengthen the proceedinge considerably. August 14. The first " Picturesque Atlas " case was finished to-day, when judgment was reserved. Mr Rawson, R M., who bad been taking evidence in support of the contention of defendant, Grieve, that his signature was obtained by fraud, declined to hear any more as none of tho witnessea were present when Grieve aud the canvasser made the agreement, their evidence being only to show that similar statements were made to them by the canvasser. There are 14 of those, all well-known and respectable persons. A point was made for the defence that the book bore an insufficient imprint; that seeing that

the Bowermans stated that they were the New Zealand publishers and not agents alone for the work their name should have appeared on it in terms of the act of 1868. Another case was to have come on to-morrow, but it is understood the parties agreed to ask the R.M. to give judgment on that just heard, and thereafter they will consider whether to go on with another.