KAWAU ISLAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 August 1922, Page 4

KAWAU ISLAND.

SOUGHT BY THE JAPANESE, OFFER MADE TO OWNER. PUBPOSE NOT DISCLOSED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. A Statement that the Japai -e Government had negotiated with him fot the purchase of Kawau Island was mad.? on oath by Andrew Joseph Farmer, who owns a portion of the island and formerly owned the whole of it, at a meeting of his creditors. Bankrupt was being questioned by Mr. Mac Kay, who appeared for a creditor, regarding his estimate of £25,000 as the value of the mineral rights over the island, and he said the best offer he received for them was £lOO,OOO from a London firm. Mr. Mac Kay: In cash? Bankrupt: I will not say that £25,000 ■was to be paid, in cash. Asked why he did not accept the offer bankrupt said he was negotiating at the time for the sale oft the island at a bigger figure. Mr. Mac Kay: Who was it you were negotiating with? Bankrupt: The Japanese Government. What did the Japanese Government want it for—a naval station? —Don’t ask silly questions. Well, tell us when this was.-—I cannot say exactly Was it during the war?—Of course it was Did you tell HamniOnd and Cracknell (formerly .bankrupt’s solicitors) about the offer from the Japanese Government? —Yes; there is one letter written by Hammond and Cracknell about it. Have you got any letter'd from the Japanese Government? —YeS. Very Well, you can give them to the Official Assignee; they will be interesting- A