NORTH v. WILLIAMS.

Patea Mail, 26 April 1881, Page 3

NORTH v. WILLIAMS.

An important civil action is to he tried at Wanganui, probably on Friday, at the (Supreme Court. The claim is for £1,037 14s 4d, balance of account extending over two years for articles of drapery supplied to certain Maoris interested in the sale to Government of the Kaitangiwhenna block. The plaintiff’s case is that the goods were supplied to Maoris on an order in each case given by tiie defendant in his capacity of land purchase commissioner under Government. The money paid by Government for the land amounted to nearly Mr Williams had advanced part of the purchase money to natives in the shape of cash, buggies, etc, and part in guarantees to tradesmen who supplied goods to Maoris on his order. When, therefore, the balance of the purchase money was paid by Government last December in a cheque for £5,400, Mr Undcr-Scc-retary Gill handed the cheque to the natives at Waitotara, and they then handed it to Mr Williams, apparently in recognition of the claim ho had against them for value advanced in the shape of cash and goods. Mr North, as one of those tradesmen, is now sneing for a settlement. Mr Williams disputes his account apparently because no vouchers arc produced to show that Williams ordered the particular goods. Mr North appears to roly on admissions made by defendant to certain persons, to the effect that details of account were correct. Of course this will he a matter of evidence. The case is impel taut to this district because of the variety of interests which may be affected by tbe result. It will be tried before a special jury. Another case is expected to follow. Certain Maoris are claiming the return of the cheque which it is alleged they entrusted to Mr Williams for distribution among themselves, and not as payment to him. It is said they are being coached by Col, Macdonald, and the case will he set down for the next sitting of the Supreme Court. This is only rumor at present. There can be no doubt that the Maoris were largely indebted to Air Williams when the last cheque was paid iu December, whatever their agents may now pretend to the contrary.