ALLEGED DUMMYISM.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1142, 6 May 1885, Page 3

ALLEGED DUMMYISM.

(From the "Evening Star.") The Land Board met on* Saturday morning for the purpose of '%iving their decision in the cases of alleged dummyism at Waitahuna West. All the members were present, along with the different advocates engaged. Mr Duncan said he did not think it was necessary to say anything in regard to the resolutions, he was going to propose. They would speak for themselves. He thought -the evidence fully justified the conclusions arrived at. He would in the first inttance move.—" That 'this Board, having held an inquiry into the cases of Alexander Anthony Wy mar, John Hughes, Robert Low, William Jamieson, William Dcrrant, William Smith, John M'Cay, and John Gilltand, respectively, with reference" to the fulfilment of the conditions of their deferred-payment licenses for Motions 19, block v. ; 20, block v. ; 2, block EC. ; 12, block ix. ; 13, block ix. ; 14, block ix. ; 36, block xi. ; and 17, block XL, Waitahuna West survey district, are of opinion that the inquiry was necessary, and fully justified by the evidence ; but, nevertheless, they are not satianedthat the evidence is sufficient to justify the conclusion that the said persons respectively have evaded the requirements of the Land Act, 1877." The Chief Commissioner: You will notice, gentlemen, that this, includes the names of what we might call^the suspected persons. Mr Duncan has not included the names of John Martin Smith, James Smith, jun., and Henry Eadie. Does any member wish to speak to this resolution before I put it? Mr M'Kenzie said he would support the resolution. As it stated, the necessity of the inquiry was apparent from the suspicious circumstances it brought to light They had baen asked to believe many things which he for his part could not, and, when he said that, he did not admit that, he was put into the position which Mr Connell had indicated. He had said that if the Board stated that these men were not telling the truth they were making them perjurers. He (Mr MfKenzie) did not go so far as that, but he -thought the men might have given more evidence than they did. If the Board had that evidence they might be able to come to a different conclusion. There was no doubt that John Martin Smith and James Smith were ~ bona, fide settlers ; but in the case of the servants of Mr Smith the case was quite different. The loans of John Martin Smith were very suspicious. No business man would act in the manner he had stated he did. Then there was a discrepancy in the evidence he gave on two different occasions. When first ' examined he stated he had lent a certain amount, and afterwards he mentioned a different sum to the extent of £1000. He hardly believed that an intelligent man like him could, possibly fail to know within £1000 whfeV he had advanced to these people. M'Cay was in an extraordinary position. He took up Ball's interest, and became responsible for his debt. At the time he agreed to pay £170 to Smith on behalf of Ball, he had £140 in the Bank at Lawrence, and at the end of twelve months he had the same money, and £60 more. There was a good deal of suspicion in connection with his case. Then, it was very singular that none of the parties from Greenfield applied for the same section. He could not but believe that they had acted in concert. No doubt but Gladstone Robertson hade, been out-bidden. There was a certain amount of suspicion that they were backed up by a heavy purse. His opinion, after seeing the country, was that some of the sections, with' their present improvements, were not worth tho money given. Then, in regard to Gilliand's case, evidence was given that he had £300 in the hands of Smith and Sons, and the station books did not show anything of the kind. Afterwards J. M. Smith explained that it was some transaction with James Smith, junr. The latter being present at the time this evidence was given, Mr Connell should have put him iv the box to corroborate it. Some indignant remarks had been made by Mr Connell as to the Board causing so much trouble to the settlers by holding the inquiry. Now the inquiry was caused by the Government. Mr Connell disclaimed having made any remarks of the kind. He had always recognised that the inquiry had been forced upon the Board. Mr Green : Ido not know that it is necessary, Mr Chief Commissioner, to go through the evidence in this analytical manner. I shall simply confine myself to saying that I quite agree with the spirit of the resolution which has been proposed by Mr Duncan, and I especially agree with that part which says that the circumstances of the cases are so suspicious that the holding of the inquiry was justified. I understand that Mr Duncan has other resolutions to propose dealing with the whole of the cases. Individually I should . certainly, have .put. William Smith along with the other two Smiths, because it appears to me that the evidence clearly shows that he is a man of means, and capable of taking up land and successfully settling on it. But if it is. considered desirable to have him here because there is some suspicion attaching to him I will not raise any objection. The other case, I presume, will come on in due course for our consideration, and I shall reserve my right to express my opinions in regard to~them. Mr Bradshaw: I have only to say I concur with ,the resolution. The only point I had to refer to was mentioned by Mr M'Kenzie.- I consider the* most suspicious circumstance is that these men applied for their sections without opposing one another, Gladstone Robertson being apparently out of the swim. The Chief Commissioner : Before putting it, I may say that I quite concur in the i resolution proposed by Mr Duncan, which I think expresses the only, conclusion the Board, could come to in the face of the evidence^ I shall not say more than that. Mr^ Duncan : I will just say a word before the resolution is put with regard to what Mr M'Kenzie has said. It was always admitted that Mr John Martin Smith had been advancing money in a ~ somewhat unusual way, and the reason given for the advances was that the licensees were trustworthy people, and could be depended upon for their services when required.. A reason is thus given for advancing the money, and we may take it for what it is worth. With regard to William, Smith, 1 think from the evidence it will be seen that he is implicated

in the suspicion regarding the advancing of this money, and it must be remembered that he. is still in the employment of this firm. I myself cannot see that any line could be drawn between his case and the others, and therefore I have included his name in the resolution.

The motion on being pub was carried unanimously. Mr Duncan then~moved— " That the Board having held an* inquiry into the eases of John Martin Smith, and James Smith, junr., with reference to the fulfilment by them respectively of the con-* ditions of their deferred-payment licenses' for section 17 and 18, block v., Waitahuna West survey district, respectively, are satisfied that the said John Martin Smith and James Smith, junr., have not in any way evaded or attempted to evade the requirements of the Land Act, 1877, or any of the amendments thereof." Carried unanimously. , j Mr M'Kenzie moved—" That Thomas Roughan is complying satisfactorily with j the conditions of his license ; but that as regards the cases of Hugh Bruce, Peter Keenan, John Donoghue, and Duncan Robertson the Board are not altogether satisfied that the conditions of their respective licenses are being complied with, and that further inquiry into these cases will be necessary, unless the ranger on his next visit is enabled to report in a satisfactory manner with regard to residence." Mr Green : I concur in that resolution. I may say that the evidence 'fully bears out what I expected it would in the case of Roughan. I think myself that there is no ground for suspicion at all in his case. I have no doubt whatever that the section is his home, and that he is com- | plying with all the conditions. In regard to the others, while there is a certain j sniount of cultivation goingon and certain* improvements, I am not qnifce satisfied that these men are making these sections their homes ; and as this resolution tells them so, and gives the ranger an opportunity of again reporting to the Board, I cordially support it. Mr Duncan: I may just say that, although I will support it, I would rather Mr M'Kenzie had specified some time for the ranger's visit. The. motion leaves it open to the ranger to report at any time. Now, I know that the financial position of settlers as a rule does not enable them to go on with improvements until after the harvest. I should be inclined to stipulate six months and three months. I do not object to the resolution, bat still I would rather have the time specified. In six months I think these men ought to be in a position to erect suitable houses. Mr M'Kenzie : I may point out that the Board will still have the matter in their hands. In the event of the ranger reporting they can give these people a certain time to comply with the Act. Mr Duncan : I would rather specify the time, and let the people know what you are doing with them. The motion on being put was carried unanimously. Mr Green :■ It is proved beyond any doubt that Mr Eadie is not complying with the residence condition, and he is also behind in three of his instalments. I do not think there will be any difference of opinion on the part of members in regard to a resolution to cancel the license. I move — " That the Board resolve to cancel the license of Henry Eadie for deferred-payment section 18, block v., Waitahuna West survey district, and to forfeit all moneys paid in respect thereof, the said Henry Eadie having been proved not to have complied with the residence conditions of his said license, and to have failed in payment of three of the required instalments, which are still unpaid." Carried unanimously. Before the members of the Board separated, Mr Connell said that he was unaware of having accused the Board of harsh treatment in any way, and if anyremarks of his could bear that interpretation he begged to withdraw them. He had to thank the Board for the fair and considerate way in which they had conducted the inquiry.