LAND OFFICE SCANDAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2681, 2 August 1905, Page 29

LAND OFFICE SCANDAL.

SYDNEY, July 25.

Since the issue of the writ for libel against Mr Haynes, proprietor of the Newsletter, by Mr Willis, in connection with the land cases, the Newsletter has published several articles commenting on Mr Willis's actions. To-day Mr John Want, solicitor, acting on behalf of Mr Willis, was granted a rule nisi directing Mr Haynes, as publisher of the Newsletter, to show cause why he should not "be committed for contempt. The rule is returnable on Monday.

The Assembly has passed a bill extending the powers of the Lands Commission.

July 27.

In reply to a question in tho Assembly, the Attorney-general declared that, Mr Justice Owen having given Willis permission to absent himself from the Lands Commission, no offence had been created by Willis in being over the border.

July 28

The Attorney-general has announced that the Government intends to make an effort to bring Willis back.

The sum of £33,000 was paid in land agents' fees in the cases already investigated by the Lands Commission.

Another sensational development has taken pi ice in connection with the Lands Commission. John Haynes, proprietor of the Newsletter-, on oath, deposed that on the 13th hist. W. B. Melville visited his office, and asked if he would stay his hand with regard to Willis. Melville urged that by issuing warrants against Willis Haynes had goJic far enough to vindicate His own character, and asked Haynes to withdraw further proceedings. Melville said he had authority from Willis (or_Mrs Willis) to make an offer, and he mentioned the payment of £500. Asked for further proof of his authority, Melville next day produced a telegram from Perth, signed " Willis, ' the sender declaring that he had been brutally treated, but if • the venomous attacks were stopped now he would not be found lacking in money matters. Haynes told Melville that he- was. not satisfied with his bona fides, and Melville promised to communicate with Willis again. Haynes meanwhile communicated with the police, and when Melville next day came to the office a detective was hidden there. Melville produced another telegram from Willis, and subsequently a third one, wherein Willis faithfully promised to keep the compact contained in the first wire when he returned to Sydney. The wires were addressed to Melville, who enjoined great secrecy. Efforts had been made by Haynes and the police to obtain the original telegram, but so far they had failed ; consequently, no action had been taken.

July 31.

Mr Melville made a statement before the Land Commission. He admitted that he offered Haynes £500, not to stop legal proceedings, but to stop the venomous newspaper attacks which were causing Mrs Willis and family much distress. He detailed the interviews he had with Haynes, who said he was sorry for Mrs Willis, and said she must not take it all as against Willis. He did not care twopence for him. He had no feeling against him, but wanted to get at Carruthers and Ashton. Willis was simply nothing. It was the other fellows, pious hypocrites, hs would bring down. Haynes asked how much Willis would stand. Melville said lie thought about £500. Haynes said, " Get the money, and I'll drop Willis out." Haynes visited witness at his private residence, and urged him to communicate with Willis, as money was useful to him just now.

Mr Melville showed a reluctance to produce his telegram to Willis. Ultimately he did so. On the face it does not seem to indicate that the money was to stop the newspaper attacks.

Haynes, l'ecalled, emphatically asserted that the money was offered to stop legal proceedings. He visited Melville in the hop&, of getting possession of the telegram.

Tho Full Court fined the publisher of the Newsletter £50 and costs for commenting on Willis while the action by the latter for libel against the paper was pending.