TRAFFIC IN CROWN LEASES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10660, 31 May 1913, Page 5

TRAFFIC IN CROWN LEASES.

( In giving judgment in the case of IG. J. Edward v, Seth Webb and | Martin Roberts at Auckland, Mr (Justice Uoopfr said: —“This is a i flagrant case of exploitation. De ! fendants acquired the lease from the I drown of 2955 acres at -Matauiuta, | ostensibly for bona fide settlement by them at a rental of £3:3 per year I and a cash payment of £690 for imI provemeuts. Wit!:in a few rmvt' ,y 1 after the date of the lease they in; ■ agreed to sell their interest in 2(100 acres of the block of 2930 acres for cuius of money which, if the agreements can be carried out, will return them a net profit of over £BOOO. It ia just such' transactions as these that lam satisfied the Legislature intended to forbid. Section 65 must receive such fair, large, and liberal i construction, and interpretation, as | will best -ensnro the object of the i enactment in its true intent, and that object is, I cannot doubt, to ( prevent applicants who are successj fui selectors from trafficking in land they are fortunate enough to obtain 1 under tire Act, this trafficking being i contrary to the public good.” His | Honour further ruled that apart | altogether from the question of the legality of the contract, the plaintiff had failed to establish breach of contract by the defendants, and lie gave judgment for 'the defendants. The defendants’ counter claim must also fail. Their counsel submitted that the contract was unlawful and that contention would be upheld. The counter claim, his Honour coacluded, was entirely founded upon an alleged breach by the plaintiff of the terms of tire contract. Each party was ordered to pay his own costs.