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Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 815, 6 September 1877, Page 3

A New Scandal. —The; '/Wellington Post ' publishes the following episode which cropped up m the hearing of tbe •Waka Maori' libel case:— "Mr JN Wilson, solicitor, of Napier, was being examined, and Mr Macaaaey was eliciting from him th« history of certain deeds constituting the! so-called ' Honi ■ Niani swindle.' Mr Wilson's demeanour bespoke tbe high-minded solicitor who would be no party to anything shady or questionable. He had to explain why, m a oertain transaction between the plaintiff and some natives, the consideration being £500, two deeds had been executed instead of a simple conveyance, namely, a mortgage for £400, and a conveyance of the equity of redemption for £lU. Mr Wilson said very bluntly, • I prepared a conveyance expressing tbe true consideration, but Mr Russell, acting at the suggestion of a gentleman well known m the 1 prbfeasloo, adopted a rather ingenious device for evading the duty under tbe Native Lands Acts to the amount of £50, and a fresh conveyance was engrossed by Mr Russell's clerk m lieu of the one I had sent.' The witness added that he entirely disapproved of tjiis clever deyjee* -, In cross-examination, Mr Connolly elicited that the gentleman well known m the profession was Mr Dudley Wnrd. Mr Connolly quietly remarked, 'For tbe credit of the profession, I am glad you have mentioned the name.' His Honor aaid: 'I presume, Mr Wilson, the duty under the Stamp Aot was, likewise evaded V To which the witness" replied m tHe affirmative. His Honor : * Was Mr Ward m practice at this time? 1 Mr Wilson: * No, your Honor ; be occupied then the distinguished position he still fills— that of District Judge.' The members of the Bar exchanged significant look", and there . was ,an expression ,of blank astoiußhuient on the faces of many m the