MR JOHN LUND ON'S LAND PURCHASING.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 166, 7 October 1892, Page 6

MR JOHN LUND ON'S LAND PURCHASING.

A matter involving such sensational charges as “robbery ” of natives, and “ scandalous job” was brought before the House yesterday afternoon, and gives promise of occupying another complete afternoon sitting. It arises out of a petition from Herewini Te Toko and two other Northern natives, who prayed the House for redress, alleging that Mr Lundon had wrongfully detained part of the purchase money for the Kaitaia block, acquired from the natives by Mr Lundon, as agent for the Government. The Native Affairs Committee reported, * That in their opinion the evidence shows that petitioners personally received from the Government officer (Mr Millar), the full amount of tho purchase money agreed by the Government to be paid for the land. Therefore, the Government are in no way responsible for what is alleged in the petition, but the Committee are further of the

opinion t!v ?, if the petitioners < onsidered Mr Lundon had not acted in accordance with any agreement entered into, or made with him, they should have applied to’the law courts, before applying to Parliament, as there are sufficient grounds to warrant that belief, which if their allegations be true render them considerable sufferers thereby, the Government be recommended to take the petitioners’ case into special consideration, with the view of affording such assists,nee as will enable them to bring the matter before a Court of law. The Committee would

also suggest, that the Government be asked to carefully note the apparently peculiar conduct of officials in performance of their duties in connection with the above transaction.’ Hon Mr Mitehelson raised a discussion by making a long statement on the subject, and quoted largely from evidence laid before the Committee. The effect of his statement was that Mr Lundon had told thef natives that the Government, would give no more than 4s 6d per acre for the land, whereupon the natives agreed to sell at that price, and found out after that the Government had given 7s 6d per acre, Mr Lundon pocketing the difference. Mr Lundon as- ' serted in evidence that he had an understanding with tho Native Minister that the Government would purchase at 7s 6d, allowing Mr Lundon to make whatever bargain he could, and take the difference to himself. This Mr Mitehelson denounced as a “ gross job and scandal,” and he lead a letter from one of the native owners complaining of a robbery. The majority of the Committee who agreed to the report consisted of the Hons, Cadman and Carroll, Messrs Porata, W. Kelly, and W. Or Smith The official who is blamed in the matter is the interpreter, who is alleged not to have fully interpreted the agreement to all the natives who signed it. Mr Mitehelson suggested that his license should bo at once cancelled. The debate was adjourned on the understanding it would be made a first order for Monday next. The debate on the report on the petition of Herewini Te Toko was continued at great length. Mr Kapa moved as an amendment that in the House the Government should compel John Lundon to refund the £783 illegally obtained in connection with the purchase of the Kaitaia Block, Several of the speakers referred to Lundon’s transaction as a rascally one, while Mr Carroll admitted that the person chieflly responsible for the discreditable affair was Lundon Mr Seddon agreed to accept the amendment, although he could not admit the Government were to blame in the matter, Mr Carroll expressed the opinion that Mr Lundon should not be employed in future by the Government, that the interpreter concerned in the transaction should be deprived of his license, that the postmaster, Mr Millar, should he censured, and that the justice of the peace concerned should be struck off the roll. After a debate lasting nearly six hours, the amendment was carried on the voices.