A Peculiar Land Case.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 139, 11 December 1896, Page 2

A Peculiar Land Case.

At the Land Board meeting yesterday a section in Pohangina was forfeited which has a peculiar history attached. The laud iv question comprises 104 acres, and ia known as section 44, Block X, Pohangina, and was takeu up on deferred payment in the name of J. E. Brown some nine years ago. It recently transpired that Mr Brown had never beeu in tbe colony since the land was taken up by bis sister, Mrs Charles Neilson, who had signed her brother's name to all the documents required from time to time, apparently without any authority from him. Mr Neilson selected the adjoiuing section, and paid the cost of improving both sections to the extent of several hundred pounds. In February. 1894, Mr J. E. Brown (or rather Mrs Neilsen) applied to transfer the section fco Mr Charles Neilson, alleging that Mr Brown was to receive £100 in consideration of the transfer. While this transfer was in progress information reached the Land Board which pointed to the fact t hat Mr Brown was not in the land of the living, so far as the section in question was concerned, Mr W. A. Hartley, of the Pobangina Cheese Factory, being the person who opened the eyes of the officials. The result of the ranger's inquiries was to prove that the chimerical Mr Brown had never been in New Zealand, and Mrs Neilson was called upon to explain the reasons for her action. She attended the Board meeting in July larat aud virtually admitted the truth of the allegations made against ber, and the Board decided to allow the matter to stand over until sbe had time to consult a solicitor or prepare a defence. Eventually, Mr Jellicoe communicated with the Board, and a letter was sent by the Commissioner to the bead ofiice asking what course should be adopted. On fche sth November the Under Secretary replied, asking the Board to fully investigate the case and take what action was thought necessary. Yesterday tbe Board decided to forfeit the section and offer ifc for sale weighted with improvements.— Standard.