The Cadman-Rees Libel Case.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4672, 16 June 1893, Page 3

The Cadman-Rees Libel Case.

», fP*B Pbbss Association.} NAPIER, June 16. The Cadman-Eees libel action commenced to-day before the Chief Justice and a special jury of twelve. Damages are fixed at £1000. Sir B. Stout and Mr Sainsbury appeared for plaintiff. Mr Bees conducted his own case, Mr Theo. Cooper, of Auckland, being unable to come. The alleged libel was contained in a memorandum sent by the defendant to tbe late Premier, alleging that the Hon A. J. Cadman, while Native Minister, was trafficking in Native lands with Mr W. C. Smith, they being ownera of the Umataroa block, near Danevirke, while the land was wanted for Battlement and was unprocurable. Further that their influence procured the appointment of Mr Bose of Danevirke, as valuator, and that he under valued their land by some thousands of pounds and was now their agent. That at the sals Mr Bose had valued the land at 243 6d per acre, while other land, further away from j the township and not so ° valuable, was ! believed by Mr Bees to have been valued at £8 an acre. Further, that during the time Mr Cadman was Native Minister, he had thwarted all efforts of the defendant and others pledged to the Government, regarding the introduction of remedial legislation in connection with Native affairs. Witnesses were called by the plaintiff to show what they thought was the meaning of the paragraphs in the memorandum. The impression in their minds was that Messrs Cadman and Smith had used their influence to secure the passage of the Tahoraite Validation Act, and to secure their title to the Umataroa Block from the ; Natives ; further, that they bad abused their positions for the purpose of acquiring wealth through trafficking in Native lands, and had used their influence to secure Mr Bose as valuator, and that they had conspired with Mr Bose to undervalue their block and defraud the Land Tax Department. H. A. Banner, commission agent, and C. B. Hoadley, auctioneer, were the only witnesses called, and then Mr Bees commenced his defence, his opening address to the jury being somewhat lengthy. He is setting out the whole history of the Umataroa Block, and Messrs Cadman and Smith's connection with it. He is still speaking.