Defeating the Land Law

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 237, 11 October 1904, Page 3

Defeating the Land Law

WARNING TO FALSE DECLARERS AT THE TiAI.LOT. (Per Pros-, Association.) AUCKLAND, Oct. 10. A One of £l5O u a;; imposed on an Auckland Customhouse ttgeni, Clias. S. 11. McTvinney, by Air Kettle. K.M., accused pleading guilty of obtaining land at the recent Tokntoka ballot by making a false declaration. The solicitor for tlte L'oi. miss-ioner of Lanls explained l h.i t McKin n e.v faln.'ly declared Ih.lt he \v«» not the owner of 600 acres of firs't-ciass l r ,n f l including the amount applied ior. nntl th it hfl liad exclusively benefited l'"oin the land re ,iiiml. The ncrusod was really acting for another le.an. awl had agreed to transfer Ihe land as soon as postihje. This was not an isolated case, "dummyism" being common. Before the ballot the Commissioner (Mr .). llacken ■ e) ha'l warned everyone piw-nt that it was time for "dummies" to withdraw. As McKinne.v had disclosed the acts to thi; Board afterwards, and had np criminal motive, the prosecution waived the right of proceeding against him for perjury. The Magistrate said the fine was £SO above tho minimum, as "dummyism" would become acute if the law was not enforced.