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Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4851, 15 October 1894, Page 2

The Pomahiika scandal is likely to injure the Minister of Lands, notwithstanding the fact that a complaisant Waste Lauds Board has inquired into the matter, and exonerated tho Minister from nny suspicion of corrupt conduct. The facts of the case seem to be that the Minister purchased a block of land for eighteen thousand pounds that was not worth ten thousand pounds, aiid that the lucky vendor was a mau of the right colour. Even in Masterton wo know something about tho Poninlmka block, for a trustworthy settler here has seen it and declares it to be utterly unfit for the purposes for which it wits procured. Tho pockets of the Oolonialtaxpaver appear to have been pickedoyer this transaction to the extent of about eight thousand pounds. The question therefore arises as to whether the responsible Minister is a bit of a rogue or a bit .oi a fop 1. We do not jyan,t a WasteLoidsßpardc/mipflsed of Governmentn.oinjnees t,o. certify thajt he is not a bit #f & r.oguo,'' % oni) Jw r#ljy accused' him of dis.bonest conduot, but «'P do not see how he is to get awayfrointhe other horn of the dilemma, Even the

friendly Land Board lias not gone so' fur as to assert that tho Ministerial ' action in this purchase was either wise or pradent.lf in one transaction tho unwisdom of the Minister of Lands results in a loss to the Colony of oight thousand, how much does tho Hon. John McKeuzie cost New Zealand in a year ?