THE PIOUS LANDOWNER, OR THE BITER BIT.

Pahiatua Star and Eketahuna Advertiser, Volume 1, Issue 45, 12 November 1886, Page 3

THE PIOUS LANDOWNER, OR THE BITER BIT.

Anent the evidence given before the Stark Purchase commission by Messrs <. oldie and Hell, that they would not take, even if a man offered them, more than the market value for a piece of hind, Mr Hrewur, the Government laind Purchase officer, tells a very amusjug story. It is to tins effect: Ur was once upon a time sent to the West Coast for tlie purpose of purchasing a piece of land wanted for public works purposes. The owner, reputed to he a very pious man, met .Mr Brewer by appointment, well •spiipped with documentary evidence to prove tliat the property the Government wanted was worth £I2UO. When Mr Brewer demurred to tlie price, the exceedingly pious until asked the question, ** l)o you tliiuk 1 would be guilty of asking the Government or any oilier person more for this property than it is worth ? I should scorn such an action." “It is not worth £1200," said the Imiid Purchase officer. “ I solemnly affirm.” replied the pious man. •* Then let uio refresh your memory," was the reply, and so saying lie produced from his pocket a newspaper ooutainmga re port of proceedings before < ertaiu Property Tax iteviewers, in which it transpired that the pious land owner swore positively before the <'ourt tliat the outside value of his land was i'liOO. “ You would not take advantage of that?" quoth the pious man. “ Certainly I would," replied tlie Govennueut officer. “ 1 shall

advise the Government to get possession of your land through the inachinery of the Compensation Court, and I intend potting in your sworn testimony as evidence in support of the Government in to value." This was a floorer, and in lo s than half-an-hour subsequently .Mr Brewer enjoyed tlie satisfaction of having closed with the pious man for the <sle of Ins laud for live sum of £(>so. Tliat su i rn testimony saved tlie country £sso.—Observer. »