A DUMMYISM INQUIRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2202, 14 May 1896, Page 20

A DUMMYISM INQUIRY.

HARASSING A PIONEER SETTLBB.

' There were some peculiar features in cod* nection with the recent dummy um inquiry nfj New Plymouth, as eet fo;th in the N*vt Plymouth Daily News. First of all, it should be stated that Mr J. Elliot wu a candfdnfce for the House of Representatives soma time ago. In September last the Auckland Lind Board investigated a charge against Mro Elliot, and cams unanimously to the con» elusion that there were no grounds for tha charge. This finding not proving satisfactory & special t auger was sent to Awakino, and he also reported that the tfia'ga was groundless. A neighbour of Mr Elliot* appears to hare a grudge against him over some dispute tboafc fencing, and on this man's bare assertion it is alleged that the recant inquiry was ordered. This the Daily News' characterises as a species of persecution that should nob be tolerated. The facts were apparently these : A Mr K*lly had a back section in Awakino, difficult of occupition, and inconvenient of a'ceesa, and, in order to work it «atisf*ctorily, be -re* quired another section. Mr Elliott offered to give hi as part of a section if he effected the improvements. It was contended th&t this was a breach of the conditions of the lease and an evasion of the law. Mr Elliot had been to gre^t toroscse in building a house and clearing his holding, and Mrs Elliot and family were actually on their way to take up their residence at their new home wbon a summons was strred on them. Mrs Elliot had to return to New Plymouth. , y ' The chairman of the Auckland Land Board, after hearing the evidar.es and the addresses of counsel, doubted whether they should not submit their de<;is ; on to the Minister before making it knowu, but' eventually it waa resolved that the evidence did nob dft* clofe any breach of the act on the pnrfc of Mrs Elliot sufficient to warrant the board in forfeiting her section. Mr Bagnall, in moving his motion, eaid (he arrangement was apparently davoid of any tinge of danamyiam. Mr Elliot's object in aiding Mr Kelly to get on tho Und appeared to be in the direction of forwarding the settlement of the Avrakino district. Mr Thompson said there was not a tittle of evidence that Mr Elliot had tiied to evade the act, but it showed that he was endeavouring to pioneer the' country, and had ao*,ed in the interests of lona, file settlement, and he sympathised with bJm for being placed in «uch a position. There was no evidence lo w^rmnt such a serious charge. Major Hair Is was .iho of opinion th*t Mr EiMotr, instead of committing a breach of the Land Aofc, had Uied every means in hit power to encourage settlement in tbe Awakino district. He had spared neither time nor txpense in furthering that object. He (M«jor Harris) did nob think thosa in authority should take notice of tbe tittle-tattle that was flying about in the district. AltV ugh he me very •wry for Mr, Elliot, yet he thought it might do good, inasmuch as it would be a lesson to the board and others connected with the administration of the Land Act, go that they would be extremely careful in future before they took up euoh a ease as this.