A Great Scandal.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6485, 30 September 1892, Page 2

A Great Scandal.

» ATTEMPT TO SHIELD THE CULPRIT. Wellington, last night. Upon presentation of the report of the Native Affairs Committee " white washing " Jno. Lundon, published by us yesterday, the Hon. Mr Mitehelson said no grosser scandal had over been perpetrated upon the Natives. The Natives hud been grossly wronged by Lundon, and the Government, who wero supposed to be the protectors of the Native race, had voted against their grievance being remedied. Four membeis of the Committee, including the chairman, who was a Government supporter, had desired to bring in a much stronger report, but were out-voted by ',lib other five, including two Ministers, the Government whip (Mr W. C. Smith), W. Kelly, and Mr Parata. The facts as disclosed in the evidence, were that Jno. Lundon came to Wellington last session, and reported to the Native Minister that he was authorised by the owners to offer three blocks of land north of Auckland to Government as follows : — 1327 acres (it 53 per acre, 140 acres at Bs, and 5200 acres ac 7s 6d. A memorandum was drawn up, in which Lundon on behalf of the Native owners agreed to sell and the Native Minister to purchase these blocks at the prices stated, Lundon's commission for the whole purchase to be LIOO. Lundon asked the Minister if he had any objection to his taking any sum from the Nativ«« for negotiating the sale, and the Minister said he had ;io objection. It subsequently transpired that Lundon had no Authority from the Natives to deal with the land. Having secured his agroement with the Minister, Lundon returned north nnd represented to tho Natives that he was sent by Goyernmcnt to purchase tk« block of 5200 acres at 4b per acre, but after much haggling said that " from his great love for the Natives, and as they wero great chiefs " he would induce the Govern ment to give another sixpence. He then caused the Natives to sign an agreement to sell the block to the Government at four and sixpence, the agreement containing a further provision that any money received by the Natives over this price should be appropriated by him, and appointing him their agent to deal with the Government. Lundon then obtained seven and sixpence per acre from the Government, pocketing the difference. Now he (Mr Mitchelson) had every reason to believe that the Natives had signed the agreement with tt false impression as to its contents, and in complete ignor »nee of the fact that the Government were paying se.ven and sixpence per acre. The Natives themselves stated this distinctively. Amongst these Natives was Timofei Puhipi, one of the straightost men living north of AucKland, whose word was his bond, who wrote charging Lundon with murder, theft, and treachery. It was clear tho Natives had been robbed to the extent of three shillings per acre, and the Native Minister had been had by the cleverness of Lundon. That was done in connection with this block and was done by Lundon in connection with others, and he hoped the Government would take immediate action with regard to Luudou and to seeing that the Natives received the moneys of which they have been robbed through this conspiracy (hear, hear), and that they would cancel the license of Robert Cochrane, Native Interpreter. Several members rose to speak, but Mr Frasor thought tho Local Bills should be given consideration, and the debate was adjourned. Mr Rolleston thought the House would do a great wrong by postponement without a reply from Ministers. Such a scandal demanded an immediate investigation. The facts set forth were a stain which should be wiped off tho English name. It was then agreed that the debate be made the first order of the day for Friday or Monday.