DUMMYISM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7039, 19 December 1890, Page 4

DUMMYISM.

♦ THE SISTERS, COUSINS AND AUNTS. [P_b Pbess Association.] WELLINGTON, Dec. 18. When the inquiry was resumed this afternoon, Mr Coleman Philhp3, who admitted that he had acted aB agent for the lady selectors, made a statement, in which he urged that the fact of the selectors asking for further time to comply with the improved regulations, pointed to the bona fides of the transaction. The Land Act did not prevent family settlement. As agent he urged the selectors to throw up the laud, as the regulations could not be complied with in the proper time. The Board would see that they had made a fair attempt to settle the land. This was all the evidence in the case. The Board came to a final resolution to forfeit the interests of all the selectors (Mrs and Miss Samuel, Mrs and Miss Joseph, and Messra Samuel and Mills) ; (2) for non-compliance with the conditions of the Land Act, to recover the arrears due, and throw the lands open at an early date. The Board also passed resolutions recording the fact that the witnesses were advised by counsel not to answer certain questions which might compromise them in view of ulterior proceedings, and the Board did not for that reason exercise its full powers to compel the giving of such evidence. Also, that in the opinion of the Board, Mr Coleman Phillips had practised dummyism in conjunction with the selectors, and that it ie desirable that the whole case should be laid before the Crown Prosecutor, with the view of ascertaining I whether there are sufficient grounds for prosecution, and if so, that such prosecution be instituted.