LAND OFFICE SCANDALS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2685, 30 August 1905, Page 27

LAND OFFICE SCANDALS.

SYDNEY, August 22. In connection with the extradition proceedings in the case of Willis, another charge of false pretences will be preferred against Willis. It is alleged that by means of a paper purporting to be a genuine transfer an improvement lease was obtained for £1677 from Mr Hill, a Legislative Councillor. August 23. In the Assembly Mr Briner called attention to a paragraph in the Catholic Press alleging that Willis had almost every member of the Assembly in his employ. "If he (Willis) explained, what he did with the money he had received there would be scarcely a member who was not likely to bo carpeted by the Income Tax Commissioner." Mr Briner asked that Mr Justice Owen be asked to subpoena the editor of the Catholic Press before the Lands Commission to give evidence bearing on the paragraph. After a warm debate the motion was adopted. August 24. The bill introduced in the Assembly gives ihe Land Commission further powers, including the right to use force in opening any receptacle or property taken into its possession. At to-day's sitting of the Land Commission evidence was given of a number of further large fees paid to land agents, including one case of £1000 paid to Willis and £700 to Peter Close. Both Houses of Parliament have passed a bill increasing the powers of the Land Commission. It is primarily intended to empower the commission to open Mrs Willis's box. August 25. A ■witness before the !Land Commission gave evidence that after long delay and two failures to obtain his leases he paid Willis £1000. He then got his land quickly. Mrs Willis's box, in charge of two detectives, was produced at the sitting of the Land Commission to-day. After strong protests hy Mrs Willis and her (solicitor against, private papers 'being overhauled, the box was opened before the commission, and was found to contain a quantity of jewellery and plate and a number of documents. A box with the jewellery and plate was 1 handed back to Mrs Willis, but the commissioner impounded the documents, and will privately peruse them. The much-expected books relating to Mr Willis's business were not found. M'Nair and Hoskins were examined, but were unable to throw any light on the disappearance of the books, though the accountants at the Safe Deposit deposed that the box was much lighter than when they and Mrs Willis had it open just before Willis left Sydney. Willis's box was subsequently brought from the Safe Deposit, but it contained only heirlooms in th© shape of a sovereign and a brooch. There was considerable excitement in court while tlic opening of the boxes "was proceeding. August 28. Two further charges of forgery and

uttering have btrjn sworn by the police against Willie in connection with the Land Office (scandals.