N.S.W. LANDS SCANDALS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 8207, 1 August 1905, Page 5

N.S.W. LANDS SCANDALS.

Further Disclosures

{Received Lad Night, at 10.HO p.m.) Sydney, Yesterday

W. 13. Melville made a statement before the Lands Commission to-day. He admitted that he offered Haynes £500. This was not to stop legal proceedings, however, but to stop venomous newspaper attacks, which were causing Mrs Willis and her family much distress. He detailed the interview he had with Haynes, who said that he was sorry for Mrs Willis, lie said she must not take it all as against Willis. He didn't care twopence for him, and had no feeling against him, but he wanted to get at Camithers and Ashton. Willis was simply nothing —it _ was the other fellows, pious hypocrites, whom he wanted to bang down. Haynes askctl how much Willis would stand, and Melville thought about £500. Haynes said : " Get the money, and I'll drop Willis out." Haynes visited witness at his private residence, and urged him to communicate with Willis, as the money would be useful to him just then. Melville showed reluctance to produce his telegram to Willis, but he ultimately did so. On its face it does not seem to indicate that the money was to' stop the newspaper attacks.

Haynes, re-called, emphatically asserted that the money was offered to stop legal proceedings. He visited Melville in the hope of getting possession of the telegram.

The Full Court have fived the publisher of the Xeirxlr/ter £50 and costs for having commented on Willis while the action by the latter for libel was pending.