THE LANDS SCANDAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7887, 1 August 1905, Page 3

THE LANDS SCANDAL.

CHARGES OF BRIBER!. n. raws iersioi. (Received July 31, 10.30 p.nv) Mr Uelville made a statement before the Land Commission in which be admitted he offered Haynes £SOO, not, as Haynes alleged, to stop hrgai proceedings against Willis, but to stop venomous newspaper attacks which were causing airs Willis anJ tbe family much distress. Witness detailed the interviews he had with him Father Haynts who said sort; tor Mrs Willis, and that sLc must not take all as against VtillU. Haynts said he didn't care twopence for Willis, and had no feeling against him, -but wanted to get at Mr Carrutbers and Mr Asbton. Willis was simply nothing ; it was the other feUowa—pious hypocrites be called them—whom he would bring down.

Haynes asked bow much Willis would stand. Melville said be thought about £SOO, and Haynes replied: u Uet the money; I'll drop Willis out."

Haynes visited witness at his private residence, and urged him to communicate with Willis, as the money would tie useful to him just then-

Melville showed reluctance to produce More tbe Commission bis telegram to Willis, font ultimately did

•o. On ttoe face of it it does not seem to indicate that the money was to stop newspaper attacks. Haynes, re-called, emphatically asserted that the mouey was ofleitxl to stop legal proceedings. He visited Melville m tbe hope of getting possession of tbe telegram. The Full Court fined the publisher oC tbe Newsletter £SO and costs for commenting on Mr WilHs' doings, wbiie an action by the Utter for libel •gainst the paper was pending.