SALE OF LAND TO ALIENS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 138, 6 March 1919, Page 9

SALE OF LAND TO ALIENS

: , . CASE AT DA^AVIIIB!-:';^. ■ Teleerapli—Press Awoolatloa- • Auckland, March 5. • A 'casei was heard- at IJargavlllc, -vvhiich was the first'of-the kind in New Zealand. '' <, •■' ' ■ Robert.Ligntt, "farmer, sold land to two Dalmatians, acting, it was alleged;' oil the Advice of G. H. Hayes, solicitor, who was joined with 1 threß; 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 2100, : or threo months in prison: 1 ' Y* Counsel for the defeuce stated that the two Dalmatians acted in" good faith, in ignorance of the law. Both had volunteered for activn service, but wore rejected becauso, they were 'unnaturalised. Hayes pleaded ignorance of the War 'Regulations, 'for "-which - hasty legislation might he held responsible. ' Jhe ifiicts were admitted. ' r .-'V' , The Magistrate i'greed that three , of the defendants acted reasonably. Having consulted a solJcitor, th'ey were each'e'onfident. Ho ordered them :to pay \ costs lis.' He admitted the 'difficulties of fr<> quent'ehaugea in legislation. Ho did not think Hayes acted with intent,' and in. view'of 'the' fact .that his incidental expenses mnst'.fall on him," lie thought a'fißO'.of'-jBS, costs, would' satisfy 'justice. • ' ' •)