THE ALLEGED “DUMMYISM CASES.”

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3140, 26 April 1883, Page 2

THE ALLEGED “DUMMYISM CASES.”

At yesterday’s meeting of the Otago Land Bourd three purchasers of pastoral lands at Strath Taieri applied for their licenses. The Board postponed a decision in these cases till next week, The Chief Commissioner read the following telegram from the Under-Secre-tary for Lands:—"Mr Rolleston has this day replied by post to your communication of the I2th with refrence to the sale of pastoral deferred payment lands which took place in February last. Mr Rolleston is entirely in accord with what he understands to be the determination of the Board that they should exercise all the power conferred upon them to prevent any evasion of the Act, and if in the judgment of the Board the circumstances before them are such as to warrant the conclusion that the declaration made by the purchaser in any case is false, they should refuse to issue the license, leaving the purchaser to ask for a reheating of the case, under section 30 of the Land Act, 1877, or to exercise his right of appeal to the Supreme Court, if he considers himself aggrieved, under section 31 of that Act. (Signed) H. J. H. Elliott.” He also read the following letter : “ Hobart, April 18th, 1883.

“Sir, —I have the honor to address you in order (hat I may give you certain information required by the Land Board concerning the purchase of sections 1 and 3 of block 11 and section 3 of block 11 and section 3 of block 18, StrathTaieri. Being absent from Dunedin and thus dependent on the Press report of the discussion on April 4tb, I feel at some disadvantage in my reply, but I should be grieved if through my silence any injury is caused to W. and P. Young and W. Free, hence I write immediately. Being interested in the welfare of the Messrs Young, as I have for many years watched their family industry and uprightness, I advised them to settle in Otago. I desired to have them as neighbors, and, if possible, to obtain their services on Cottesbrooh station and I recommended them to take up land on the deferred payment system. I offered to obtain a loan wherewith to pay the first instalment if necessary. I advised them as to the sections of land to select and arranged for an agent to bid at the auction, and I considered that I was thus assisting to introduce industrious and frugal farmers, such as the Government of New Zealand wish to obtain. W. and P. Young and W. Free have bought the land from the Government in good faith, and I believe tin y will reside on their respective lota within the twelve months specified by law. They are under no agreement with roe, or with any of my partners to sell or lease Hie land, 1 desire to direct the Board’s attention to a letter written by W. and P. Young, and published in the “ Hobart Mercury ” of April 11, wherein certain rumors are specifically contra, dieted.—l am, etc.,

"W. Gellibrand.”

The Commissioner said he read these documents because they were a good introduction to the Board’s consideration of T. Popham’s and J. 8. Nichol’s applications for licenses for the land they had bought at the sale, and consideration of which the Board had last week adjourned to this day. Mr Green thought there was one good point in Mr Gellibrand’s letter, namely, the statement that the purchasers had no agreement with Mr Gellibrand or his partners, but all the rest, was moonshine. Mr Clark said he thought the Board were unanimous in the opinion that the purchases of Messrs Pophara and Nicole were bona fide transactions, and that being the case, there was no reason why the Board should withhold the licenses.

Mr Green thought that unless the Board had very strong grounds of suspicion, they should not refuse the licenses. If they had, they should give applicants all the trouble they could. He thought Messrs Popham and Nichols 1 applications were genuine, and that their licenses should therefore be issued.

It was resolved unanimously that licenses be issued to Messrs Popham and Nichols.