WAR REGULATIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12569, 5 March 1919, Page 6

WAR REGULATIONS.

LAND SOU) TO. ALIENS. [Per Press Assocuno.v. | AUCKLAND, March 6. A case was heard at Dargarille, the first of the kind in New Zealand, in which Robert Ligatt, a fanner, sold land to two Dalmatians, acting, it was alleged, on the advice of Mr G. IT. Mayes, solicitor, who was joined with three others concerned in a prosecution under the War Regulations, prohibiting the acquisition by an alien enemy of any interest .in land under a penalty of .£IOO or throe months.’ imprisonment. Counsel for._t.he defence stated that the two Dalmatians acted in good faith and in ignorance of the law. Both had volunteered for active service, but they were rejected, because they were nnnafnraliscd. Mr Hayes pleaded ignorance of the War Regulations, for which hasty legislation might ho held responsible, The, facts were admitted. The Magistrate agreed that three of the defend a nfs had acted reasonably, having consulted a solicitor. 'They were each convicted and ordered to pay costs. Its. He admitted the difficulties of frequent changes in legislation. He did not think that Hayes acted with deliberate intent, in view ol the fact, that the incidental expense must fall on him. He thought, a fine of .‘Jo and £l2 IQs 8d costs would satisfy justice.