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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5380, 25 June 1878, Page 2

It is not very long since it was officially announced that a writ of scire facias was about to be issued to test the validity of the Crown grants issued to the Piako Swamp Company for the estate in Waikato which has been the cause of so much flatulent declamation in the House of Representatives and on the stump. These threats, like some “ promises” that we wot of, have come to nought. We reprinted a few days since an announcement made by our contemporary the New Zealand Herald that the company’s title had been recorded under the Land Transfer Act at Auckland, after the question of the registration had been referred to Wellington for instructions. This was a challenge, in fact, to put these loud threats in force, and it has not been accepted. If the Crown grant for the Pepepe land, “containing coal,” has not also been brought under the operation of the Land Transfer Act, we hope that the owners will follow the same course, and give the same challenge with respect to it that has been given in respect to the Piako land. Then we shall see whether or not the Premier has the courage to interfere with that process, and to repeat in a Court of Law the misstatements which he has not been ashamed to make in his place in the Houso of Representatives, and on the stump during his recent tour, with regard to this particular land sale. Part of the foreshore at Kawau is quietly held now upon a title obtained by Mr. Whitaker after an appeal to the Privy Council. The getting of this title was attempted to be pleaded by Citizen George Jones as a justificationforhisown infamous libel upon the Attorney-General, and it is to be hoped that the present Government will not allow all the alleged iniquities set out in Mr. Jones’ great plea to obtain the sanction of an indefeasible legal title under the Land Transfer Act, without, — evenfor the sakeof appearances,—an effort being made to test their legality in the Supreme Court. It is incumbent on those who protected Citizen Jones against the action of the House of Representatives to show that they believe in that distinguished “ liberal, ” and in the falsehoods which have made him famous, and have coat the country so much money.