LAND BALLOT DISPUTE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143781, 3 May 1912, Page 3

LAND BALLOT DISPUTE.

SETTLED BY THE COURT

Per Press Association. TIMARU, May 2.

Mr Justice Donniston’s decision was o-iven’ to-day in a land ballot dispute, Heard before him last February. At the ballot for the Mackenzie pastoral runs in February, 1911, two marbles wore drawn in each case. AVhen the Whale’s Back run, of 14,500 acres, was drawn the person called for the first marble was not present or represented, but a friend asked for time to communicate with bim, and was allowed ten minutes. The person for whom the second marble was drawn disputed the right of the Land Board to allow time as the regulations say that a deposit must bo paid ‘■immediately. The judge decided, that this word does not mean “instanter,” and that m view of the object of tho rule and the circumstances of the case, ten minutes’ grace was reasonable and proper. Besides, the matter was> within tile discretion of the officer conducting the ballot. Judgment was given for respondent, with two guineas costs.