“KING OF LUNDY”

Taranaki Daily News, 10 March 1931, Page 7

“KING OF LUNDY”

FINE FOR COINING.

EXTRAORDINARY CASE.

What the . Lord Chief Justice described as-a very entertaining case came before a King’s Bench Divisional Court, when Mr. Martin Coles Harman, the owner of Lundy Island, conducted in pergpn his appeal against his conviction at Bideford (Devon) Petty Se&sioris in April, 1930, says.the Daily Telegraph. He was fined £5 for unlawfully issuing a piece of metal, contrary to the Coinage Act. The Attorney-General (Sir William jowitt, K.C.), .'and Mr. Wilfrid Lewis (lh?trdcted by the Treasury Solicitor) appeared In support of the conviction. Lord Hewatt, Mr. Justice Avory, and Mr. Justice MacKinnon comprised the Corirt. ’ ’

Mr. Harman said that the conviction referred to the issue by him of certain coins called puffins and half puffins, to Which objection had been taken by the Authorities bn the mainland. Some of thfe coins Were produced by Mi'. Harmpn, who told the court that puffin birds were very numerous on Lundy. IsHnd.. “Lilndy” lcelandic for puffin. Lundy, although quite small, was of importance, and the services it had rendered the shipping fraternity had been Valuable. Whenever there had been a nipffier of the entire population of the island, the mainland Government had disclaimed responsibility. The Lord Chief Justice: “Docs the murder of the entire population often happent” (Laughter.) Mr. Harniari: “Yes, pirates often used to.” Mr. Justice Avdry; “Perhaps the entire population of rabbity was murdered.” (’Laughter.) Mr. Harman added that Lundy paid no' rates, duties, or tithes to the mainland, hnd' .rigjitly so, because Lundy received nothing from the mainland. There was no old age pension, and- no Allowance for sewerage or lighting. Lundy received nothing from the mainland aiid paid nothing, and he maiiitaihed that Lundy Island was a “veM-poCket Size self-governing dominion.”

Mr, Harman, who said that he, had his own postage stamps, caused laughter by remarking, “I dismissed niy G.P.0.”

’ “I contend that the Court below and also this Court is not able to deal with niy right to issue coins on Lundy Island. The mere fact that Ltindy is slriall, and near England, does not alter its status,” said Mrl Harman, who added that he had offered to refer the matter to King George, and accept loyally hi? decision on the matter, but the offer had been refused. Mr. Justice Avory: ‘‘Who is the Sovereign of Lundy ?” Mr. Harman: “I am.”

The Lord Chief Justice: “You say thip wgs an excess of jurisdiction on the part of the Bideford Justices, but not an , of war?’' Mn Justice Avory: “Does it ever happen that anyone assaults anyone elpe on Lundy Island?”' Mr. Harman: "Yes, and it is put down with a heavy hand-” “Whppe heavy hand?”—“The' fiaqd of my agent, who is fift 4in in height and weighs ISst.” (Laughter.) The'Attorney-General Ihqt Lundy seemed to be Utopia, put he thought that the people wotpd be just as happy if they had pennies with King George’s head on',them instead of puffins with Mr. Harman’s head oh them. Mr. Justice Avory: “The question is whether Lundy is part of Devon.” The Lord Chief Justice said that the case had been aply argued by Mr! Harman. The question for the Cpurt was whether the Justices came to a correct conclusion.' There was evidence that entitled them to convict Mr. Harman.

Mr. Jiisiie, Avory and Mr. Justice MacKinnon agreed, and the appeal was dismissed.