N.S.W. LAND SCANDAL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10447, 28 August 1905, Page 4

N.S.W. LAND SCANDAL.

SYDNEY, August 17. The inquiry into the New South Wales land scandals brings forth fresh sensa-: tions almost daily. The latest is the warrant for the arrest of W. N. Willis, exM.L.A. Mr Willis' name has been the most proniincut t-luroughout the hearing, and when he left in the midst of the hearing to go to South Africa he excited the indignation of Mr Justice Owen, the Royal Commissioner. When he reach, ed Albany he was arrested on warrant issued by a private person, but this warrout the loca] Supreme Court held to be invalid. "Now I will be free to go back and face my accusers'," said Mr Willis, and forthwith he took steamer — for Durban. Last week the authorities decided to act, and they arrested on charges of conspiracy two of Willis' employeesGeorge McNair and Bernard Hoskins — and issued a warrant for the arrest of Willis, which was cabled to the Natal police and executed as soon as tho steamer Commonwealth put into port. On Thursday last Mrs Willis received the following cable from her husband : ''Inform Crown Willis wishes return Sydney by steamer Oeclong on own boud for £1000. If accepted, let Crown cable authorities here. Act promptly." The Geelong is not due to sail for a considerable time yet. Moreover, Mr Willis had proved rather elusive alreadv. and his offer was therefore declined. He will be brought back by the ordinarv course of judicial procedure. Mrs Willis was up -for examination yesterday before the Commission, and received rather a severe lecturing from the judge. She had on the last occasion been subpoenaed to produce the books — for she was the financier of the Willis business. She asked for time, and it was granted. Yesterday she said the books had disappeared. Mr Justico Owen told her that he had extended special oourtesy to her, and that she had apparently taken advantage of it. He would treat the witnesses differently in tho future. In evidence Mrs Willis admitted that her husband had transferred much money to her account. She did not think it was -850.C00, but it might have been £30,000. These revelations are creating a painful scandal. They havo been mentioned in the House, where Mr Yonng boldly accused Mr Crick, the ex-Minister, of being the man most concerned. Huge fees have been paid to agents by applicants, and the public will certainly domand that it shall bo settled whether the agents pocketed these sums or whether a portion of them was passed on to those who had more to do with the issuing of the leases.