MR HINE'S CHARGES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 122, 1 September 1910, Page 4

MR HINE'S CHARGES

SUGGESTION OP FORGERY. SERIOUS ASPECT OF NEWSPAPER LETTER. 1 (By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Last Night. Recently in the House of Representatives, Mr. J. B. Mine, M.P. for Stratford, made a statement, to the effect that in. Taranaki applicants bad been refused admission to land ballots because they were not i n possession of £SOO. Following' this, a letter denying the truth of the statement appeared in- the New Zealand Times, over the signature "Joseph McUuggage." The letter was dated Strat- ' ford, Augiust 23. ANOTHER CONTRADICTION. Inthe same issue of the paper, a letter bearing the same place and date, was published over the signature, '"Edward Fincham." The writer of the latter epistle said he understood Mr. Hine nad used his name as being one of the persons who applied for land at Huiiura special settlement, and bavin" .£SOO The writer concluded, "I wish to say for myself and friend that we never ap- * plied for land, and Mr. Hine has no authority in using my name." Mr Hine naturalfy was verv much astonished to see such a letter reflecting on fliia character published over Mr. Finchan's name. THE MYSTERY DEEPENS.

Two days later the myatcrv deepened when (on August 27) Mr. Hine received the following telegram from Stratford: AO 'knowledge of letter in Times* over mv signa ture.—Fincham."

1 Hine is in receipt of a letter from Mr. Finclmn. Tn this letter he savs he was astonished on his arrival 111 Stratford on the Saturday to hear that-a letter over 'his signature had appeared m the New Zealand Times. Hecould not credit it until He had seen the letter himself. He adds:

" A DIRTY BUSINESS." I -could quite understand your feelings on the matter, and probably your doubts of myself, for, leaving friendship out of the question, it is not the act of a man to publish a gross lie, or rather part of a lie, because part of the letter is true that states t'hat I never applied for land. However, it is a dirtv business, and I should 1 ike to find out the author of it, for I can assure you I can solemnly-swear 'before my God that I know nothing whatever about the letter that appeared in the Times on the 25th. nor to my .knowledge have I signed any paper or document that could be fixed tip into a letter." The question now arises: Was the letter published in the New Zealand Times a forgery? iand, if so, who is the former? More is likely to be heard of the matter.