ALLEGED DUMMYISM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4581, 1 March 1893, Page 3

ALLEGED DUMMYISM.

'[PBS PEBSS ABSOOIATIOK.I NEW PLYMOUTH, Feb. 28. ; The first of the dummyism eases was commenced to-day in the Resident Magistrate's Court against B. O. Hendy, for making an/ alleged false declaration, under the Land Act on July 22, 1890, $o the effect that at the time of declaration he was not the owner of more than 2000 acreß, including the 720 acres he was then applying Cor, whereas m truth and fact he held land exceeding that amount. Mr Say, with MnStariaish, prosecuted, and Mr Samuel defended. After argument the Conrt ordered Mr Ceßara Smith, the informant, to leave the Court with the rest of the witnesses while the case was proceeding. Mr .Ray objected strongly to such a course, as Mr Smith was practically the prosecutor- Mr. Sydney Weetman, Crown Lands Commissioner, the first witness called, produced -certain documents from the (Land Office. Amongst; tthem was a form of declaration which had been supplied to (the department, and afterwards recalled .as being unsuitable and ambiguouß as to the amoonti of land a person could hold. Mr Parkinson, editor of the. Hawera Star, proved the signature of Mr J. C. Torke, the Justice before whom the was made by M? Hendy. Mr T. G. Waitt, Receiver of Land /Revenue, gave evidence as to the amount of 'land held by Hendy, At the rtime of the declaration Hendy held 253 acres on deferred payments, 630 acres on perpetual lease, and other sections amounting in all to 1888 acres. Mr Reginald Baytay, Assistant jband Eegistrar, stated that Heady blbo held 120 acres as lessee of load leased by the Public Trustee, The Couofc adjourned until to-morrow. March 1. The alleged dngamyism case was resumed this morning, wfen Alfred Trimble was recalled, and gave .evidence relative to J .Hendy's signatnra in certain Jsasjjß,

Coarles O'Hara Smith was then examined, and said he had been instructed from the Department to lay the information against Hendy. Remembered* reporting to the Minister for Lands on the charges against Hendy and Pease, and had no objection to a copy of this report being produced. Had lodged three other informations against Hendy, and would go on with a fourth even if defendant was acquitted on three. He had not the slightest personal feeling in the matter. He bad received instructions to institute the strictest enquiry into all charges like the present. O'Hara Smith's evidence closed for the prosecution, when Mr Samuels submitted that no 2>rim<J facia case had been made out. The Bench adjourned till three o'clock, when the Magistrate will give his decision .